891.5 Ironman Spectator Guide

2.4 mile swim
112 mile bike
26.2 mile run
A spectating and info guide for the UK’s premier long distance triathlon.
This guide will help you get around and watch the IRONMAN UK event.
As well as transport and road closure information it gives tips and info for
finding a meal during the day.
Ironkids
A ‘run only’ event for children, aged 3 to 14 years, is coming to Bolton
during the Ironman race weekend and takes place in the town centre on
16th July 2016. To find out more visit www.ironkids.co.uk
SPECTATOR GUIDE
SUNDAY 17th JULY 2016
Where and how to watch
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SWIM COURSE
Athletes will complete a two-lap swim course which is based at the
Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
Starting at 6am the swim takes place 11 miles from Bolton town
centre and starts from the eastern side of the lake.
The first athlete transition is based here on the picnic area next to the
golf course.
Pennington Flash is easily accessible from the A580 and M6.
The first pro athlete will finish the swim in just over 40 minutes.
How to view the swim
You can watch the swim from the waters edge at the Flash.
ACCESS
Parking is available at the Morrisons supermarket car park (WN7 4JY)
on race mornings which is a 5 minute walk from the swim start area.
Cars must be on site by 5.45am and will be locked in until at least
8.45 am.
Spectators can also watch a practice swim at Pennington Flash on
Friday 15th July between 2pm and 3.30pm and Saturday 16th July
between 9am and 10am.
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BIKE COURSE
Athletes start the 112 miles bike course at Pennington Flash with the first
athlete leaving around 6:45am.
The cycle route takes athletes from Leigh up through Horwich to Lancashire
for 2 loops of a circuit. The bike laps take them in an anti-clockwise loop
around Lancashire taking in Belmont, Abbey Village, Buckshaw Village,
Croston, Mawdesley, Wrightington, Standish, Adlington and Rivington. The
quickest pro athlete will do the bike course in around 5 hours.
How to watch the bike
BIKE COURSE
The bike course can be difficult to view given the road closures in place
for the event. We recommend viewing from one of five locations: Belmont,
Adlington, Rivington, Hilldale or Standish. We also do not recommend
moving between these different hotspots but viewing at one of the following
locations and then returning to Bolton town centre for the run discipline.
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BELMONT – ACCESS
You can see your athlete in the Lancashire village of Belmont at the 19
and 66 mile points as the route comes down Rivington Rd and turns left
to cycle gradually uphill through the village. There is parking
available on the A675 Belmont road on the south bound side only.
Head for post code BL7 8AB. The road is closed north bound from
Belmont but you can get to the area if you follow the A666 from Bolton. If
you are going to Pennington Flash first then be sure to follow the A580 to
get to the A666. Afterwards for the run course just head back down the
A675 and A666 Blackburn Road southwards to get back into Bolton for
the town centre car parks.
ADLINGTON – ACCESS
You can see your athlete three times at Adlington before they head to
T2 and it‘s a good place to get something to eat or cheer the athletes
up Babylon Lane. Leave Pennington Flash after 9:30am and follow the
A579 Atherleigh Way through Atherton and then joining the M61 at J5.
Travel up the M61 and join the A6 from junction 6. Head north on the A6
and park South West of Adlington High Street. Staying south of the bike
course is best and will help you get to the run course later via the same
route back to the M61.
HILLDALE HOTSPOT
There will be support at the 47 and 94 miles point in Hilldale as the route
turns left from Bentley Lane on to Bannister Lane at the foot of ‘Hunters
Hill’. There will be parking at the Farmers Arms pub for £2 per car
which can be redeemed off any purchases in the pub. We recommend
booking with the pub in advance if you would like a meal. Reaching
the area is from the South so you avoid the bike course road closures.
From Pennington Flash you join the M6 at junction 23 and travel north
to junction 27. From there take the A5209 Hall Lane to the B5246
Lancaster Lane to the Chorley Rd in Hilldale. Athletes start coming
through this point around 8.30am.
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STANDISH HOTSPOT
Another option south of the bike course is Standish. The athletes turn left
from Pepper Lane on to the Preston Road A49 at this point. The distance of
the bike course here is at mile 54 and 101. To get to this location approach
from the South. From Pennington Flash use the same route as Hilldale
(above) utilising the M6. Exit at junction 27 of the M6 take the A5209 East
and turn left onto the A49. You can park on one side of the road here on the
Preston Rd before you reach the bike course at Pepper Lane.
RIVINGTON
This year as transition has moved it means you can drive up Rivington
Lane. However to avoid the bike course follow Chorley Old Road which we
recommend using from the A58 North from junction 5 of the M61. Join the
B6226 Chorley Old Road which becomes Lee Lane and turn into Hope St.
Turn left onto Fearnhead Ave which then turns right onto Rivington Lane. At
the top of Rivington lane there are two locations for parking at Great House
Barn and Rivington Hall Barn where you can get refreshed at the tea rooms.
Rivington Green and Sheephouse Lane is a short walk from the barns and
our triathletes will pass the green twice at mile 16 and 63.
TRANSITION
Transition 2 is based at the Macron Stadium this year offering lots of car
parking which also offers accessibility to the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure
Park next door and numerous shops and eating options. This is where the
athletes change from the bike to the run section and is also where the expo
and merchandise tent are located. The best way to get to the stadium is via
junction 6 of the M61. Even if you are travelling from the north of Bolton use
the A58 Beaumont Rd to join the M61 from junction 5 to get to junction 6 or
you will come up against the road closures. To get to the town centre from
T2 rejoin the M61 at junction 6 and drop down to junction 5 again back to
the A58 but this time head into Bolton using the Wigan Rd and Deane Rd to
The first pro athlete is expected into T2 any time from 11.15am and they will
be almost 6 hours into their journey. The final cut off for the bike course is
4.30pm at T2.
MIDDLEBROOK RETAIL PARK IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL.
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RUN COURSE
The run starts from Transition 2 at the Macron Stadium.
The IRONMAN UK run course starts with an 6 mile point to point run.
This starts from T2 at Macron Stadium, athletes use Aspinall Way to rejoin
the Chorley New Rd reaching the Middlebrook Trail via Regent Road.
The course follows the canal path for a short while before re-joining the
Chorley New Road via Overdale Drive. From here athletes head into the
town centre passing along Bark Street and Knowsley Street and turning
for their laps on Le Mans Crescent which is just before the finish line,
directly behind the Town Hall and Victoria Square. From this town centre
turn athletes will do 3 out and back laps which takes them out to a turn on
the Chorley New Road just before the A58 junction with the Beaumont and
Victoria Roads.
How to view the run
The run is best viewed in the town centre of Bolton as here you will see
athletes three times before they return for a fourth time into the finish
funnel. From here you can also walk to Chorley New Road where the
athletes complete their out and back laps amongst a now famous throng
of cheering supporters and Boltonians.
ACCESS
If you are traveling from the south, head for the 24 hr NCP Octagon multi
storey car park in the town centre (BL1 1TN). The car park is free of charge
on weekends and Bank Holidays.
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If you are travelling from the north you can park in the 24 hr NCP Topp
Way car park (BL1 2DJ) and almost immediately watch the runners on
Bark St. This car park is approximately 500 metres from the finish area and
offers free parking on weekends and Bank Holidays.
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FINISH AREA
Athletes will get a warm welcome when they cross the finish line on Le Mans
Crescent in the heart of Bolton town centre.
This area is not just for the finish as the race course will bring athletes into
sight of the finish line three times on their run laps as they loop around Le
Mans Crescent directly behind Bolton Town Hall.
The first athlete will finish in around 8 hours 30 mins so will be due in shortly
after 2pm.
By the time they finish the athletes will have unbelievably covered over 140
miles.
The final cut off time for athletes is 17 hours after the race start at 11pm.
How to view the finish
The finish area is based in the heart of Bolton. Plenty of shops will be open
for food and drinks during the day to fuel your support for those out on the
course.
ACCESS
If you are traveling from the south, head for the 24 hr NCP Octagon multi
storey car park in the town centre (BL1 1TN). The car park is free of charge
on weekends and Bank Holidays.
If you are travelling from the north you can park in the 24 hr NCP Topp Way
car park (BL1 2DJ) and follow the run to the finish area about 500m away.
Topp Way car park is free of charge on weekends and Bank Holidays.
90 minute free parking is also available at the Market Place shopping centre
(BL1 2AL).
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ROAD CLOSURES - 17th July 2016
There will be many road closures in and around Bolton, Wigan and Lancashire on the day of the event.
Marshalls will be present to allow access for emergency services, residents, and businesses. Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park is open as usual,
although there will be some traffic diversions in place.
For a full list of road closures, visit www.ironmanuk.com and click on Road Access tab
Activities and sport
There are lots of opportunities to indulge
in sport and be active in Bolton. With
fantastic sporting venues like the
Macron Stadium and USN Bolton
Arena. Bolton's countryside is great for
fishing, horse riding and exploring the
outdoors!
Bolton is one of the UK’s friendliest towns and its great location
makes it the ideal choice for a day visit or short break
History and heritage
Bolton has a rich heritage which is
reflected in its wonderful mix of
attractions and places to visit.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival takes place
on Victoria Square in Bolton town centre from
Friday 26th to Monday 29th August 2016.
Why not find out more about some of
Bolton's stunning historic buildings
which tell the tale of Bolton's past in
their own unique way.
The four-day spectacular will serve up a series
of live cooking demos from top-flight celebrity
chefs Nadiya Hussain, Michael Caines,
John Torode and James Martin plus a host
of exceptionally talented local and regional
chefs, a speciality market with over
150 stalls and great family entertainment.
www.visitbolton.com/boltonsheritage
Entertainment
Bolton’s entertainment and nightlife
matches its distinctive character.
At the town’s cultural heart is the
Octagon Theatre offering you the
chance to take in the best comedy
and musical talent.
Countryside
Fill your lungs with fresh air and
admire the scenery across Bolton.
Bolton town centre is only one mile from the beautiful West Pennine
Moors and is surrounded by miles of countryside with wonderful
opportunities for walking and cycling.
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For more information visit www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com
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Visitbolton.com
Don’t forget www.visitbolton.com, the official tourism website for Bolton.
Check out where to stay, where to shop, what to do and where to eat in
Bolton.
visitbolton
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