IRONMAN UK won gold in the Best Triathlon Category at the 2018 Running Awards.
The event, in Bolton and across Lancashire, took the title of best triathlon in the UK, as voted for by athletes and members of the public at The Running Awards gala ceremony in London.
The Running Awards recognises various aspects in running, ranging from nutrition, apparel, events, communities, technology and more. Public nominations and votes were collected between September 2017 and March 2018, with more than 150 000 votes received this year.
IRONMAN UK beat competition from 11 other shortlisted triathlons of varying distances across the UK.
The event celebrates ten years in Bolton this year after making the move to the north west in 2009. It is one of the best supported and most sought-after races and with further improvements to the race venue implemented this year, the event is expected to continue being the UK’s premier triathlon.
“We are delighted that IRONMAN UK has achieved this recognition. This award is testament to the tireless work of the IRONMAN team, the fantastic support and vision from Bolton Council and the influence of the many role players including our amazing volunteers,” said Sam Brawn, IRONMAN UK Race Director.
“For the award to come in the year in which we celebrate ten years in Bolton makes this accolade particularly special. We also recognise and thank the people of Bolton who come out in their numbers every year to make this event so special, supporting our athletes with such enthusiasm. The Bolton supporters are part of the fabric of this event and we look forward to experiencing that unique atmosphere again this year,” added Brawn.
“It’s wonderful news that Ironman UK Bolton has won the award,” said Tony Oakman, Chief Executive of Bolton Council.
“It’s a fantastic event which brings people from all over the country to the town and region to showcase what Bolton and Lancashire has to offer. Every year we welcome thousands of athletes from around the country and world to the town, joining the hundreds of athletes from Bolton who take part.
“It’s unique and the award is well deserved for all the hard work that the Ironman team, the council, and our partners across the north west put in to making it a success.”
Entry for the 2018 edition is already more than 90% full. The 10th edition on Sunday 15 July is expected to attract more than 2500 athletes from over 40 countries. Spectators are able to see some of the UK and world’s best athletes take on the 2.4 mile swim in Pennington Flash in Leigh, 112 mile bike ride over the West Penning Moors and across Lancashire and 26.2 mile run on a loop in and out of Bolton town centre. As part of the IRONMAN UK weekend, the world’s biggest IRONKIDS event, IRONKIDS UK takes place in Bolton 14 July 2018, the day before the main event.
For more information on the changes and to enter, please visit the event website, www.ironman.com/uk