For one year only – IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton

• IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton to be held on September 26, 2021 as exclusive one-time event 
• IRONMAN gives UK athletes another opportunity to race at home
• IRONKIDS Bolton moves to coincide with the new IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton event to create a festival weekend this September 

For one year only, The IRONMAN Group and Bolton Council are introducing a new event, IRONMAN® 70.3® Bolton to take place on September 26, 2021.

Bolton is one of the UK’s most iconic triathlon venues having hosted the Supersapiens IRONMAN UK for over a decade attracting athletes from around the world. This year, for the first and only time, the town will host two major triathlons in the same year affording triathletes in the UK an additional opportunity to race at home in a year in which international travel has proved challenging.

The new event will take in the best elements from the renowned Supersapiens IRONMAN UK course, allowing athletes to experience the best of Bolton and the surrounding area. Starting with a one-loop 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim at the beautiful Pennington Flash Country Park followed by a 90.1km (56-mile) cycle through the Lancashire countryside ending with a two-loop 21.1km (13.1-mile) run through the picturesque Queens Park before running down the red carpet in the town centre.

Following a dearth of racing over the last year and a half, the new event will be a welcome addition to the UK triathlon calendar in 2021. The race will appeal to both seasoned triathletes looking to extend their season as well as those with the ambition of earning the coveted title of IRONMAN by getting a feel for racing in and around Bolton before takiing on the full distance triathlon in 2022. For those who have never raced the Supersapiens IRONMAN UK, as a one-off event, IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton provides a unique opportunity for athletes to test themselves on the famous course in the best way possible, getting to experience the early morning swim at Pennington Flash as well as cult favourite locations such as Sheephouse Lane and the Bolton town centre.

“With all the uncertainty around international travel, we wanted to give athletes another chance to race at an IRONMAN event at home this year. From the first IRONMAN UK in Bolton in 2009, triathletes have thoroughly enjoyed racing the scenic course. Along with Bolton Council, we are thrilled to create a second weekend of racing in September where IRONKIDS and IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton will take place.” said Declan Byrne, Managing Director of the UK and Ireland for The IRONMAN Group.

The leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with IRONMAN UK and the event has become one of the highlights of the Bolton calendar. After a break last year, athletes of all levels will be raring to go at the start lines of both the Night Run and IRONMAN UK in early July.

“We are also delighted to welcome a second event this year, with the IRONMAN 70.3 joining the ever-popular IRONKIDS to create what I’m sure will be another spectacular weekend in September. 

“These events always bring a special atmosphere to the town centre and I’m sure everyone in Bolton is looking forward to welcoming back IROMAN not once, but twice, in 2021.” 

With the introduction of the new September event, IRONKIDS Bolton will move to 25 September to coincide with the IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton event and create another festival weekend of sport in Bolton this September.

The 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton will offer qualifying slots to the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship on December 10-11, 2022 in Taupō, New Zealand. General registration for the event will open on June 17, 2021 at 2 pm BST.

For more information and registration, please visit www.ironman.com/im703-bolton. Athlete inquiries can be directed to bolton70.3@ironman.com.

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit  www.ironman.com.