UK Ironman event will return to Rivington (From Chorley Citizen)

UK Ironman event will return to Rivington

1:32pm Thursday 10th December 2009 in

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THE Ironman UK Triathlon is returning to parts of Rivington in 2010, but not to its reservoirs.

The organisers of the contest - a gruelling race featuring a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a marathon - have now confirmed Bolton will host the 2010 event on August 1.

Changes to the route have been made and the swim will take place at Pennington Flash in Leigh, because United Utilities - owners of the reservoir at Rivington which was used last year - has returned to its policy of not allowing swimmers in any of its reservoirs.

The cycle will loop from Pennington Flash to Rivington, through Blackrod and back to the reservoir where the run will start into Bolton Town Centre following much of last year’s route from Rivington, ending in Victoria Square.

Registration is now open and more than 8,000 competitors have already registered an interest in taking part, including comedian Eddie Izzard.

Fresh from his 43 marathons in 51 days in aid of Sport Relief, Izzard said at the weekend that he was aiming to take part in next summer’s Ironman contest.

He said: “I've just started up swimming because I want to do Ironman now.”

"I have become fascinated with fitness because there's no point in throwing away all that training. I just want to keep up and get more healthy.”

The race attracts competitors from all over the world and this year more than 1,500 athletes from 35 countries and thousands of spectators attended.

Athletes interested in taking part in the 2010 Ironman UK Triathlon can register their interest at www.ironmanuk.com