Young athletes shine as IRONKIDS returns to Bolton

Thousands of children wearing neon green T-shirts flooded the town centre as races were held for different age groups throughout the day.

The youngsters competed in three categories – those in school Years 6-11 ran 1.5km, children in school Years 1-5 ran 1km and nursery to reception children ran 500m with a parent or guardian.

Bolton town centre was filled with impressive young athletes on Saturday (June 6) (Image: Newsquest)

With the weather up and down throughout the day, some competitors got wet, but many were able to stay dry as they darted through Bolton town centre before finishing in Victoria Square and receiving their medals.

Siblings Penny, nine, Olive, seven, and five-year-old Ellis enjoyed the day of action, with the running showing no signs of leaving them tired.

Both Olive and Penny said the race was “really fun” and exclaimed “yeah” when asked if they were happy when they finished and if they would do it again.

From left to right: Penny, nine; Olive, seven; and Ellis, five (Image: Newsquest)

Awa, seven, Ellie, eight, Miha, seven, Erik, also seven, Dayha, five, and Tia, three, were also in very high spirits during the afternoon, with those who had already competed wearing their medals proudly around their necks.

Mihan said: “When we finished it, we got a medal and they gave us a water.”

From left to right: Awa, seven; Ellie, eight; Miha, seven; Erik, also seven; Dayha, five; and Tia, three (Image: Newsquest)

The IRONKIDS event in Bolton is one of the largest in the calendar, with thousands of young athletes taking part each year.

The youngsters started at the arch on Le Mans Crescent, with the older groups running out onto Deansgate and down Knowsley Street, before turning back and heading onto Victoria Square and through the IRONMAN finish gantry, while the younger groups ran a shortened version of the course.

On Sunday (June 7), the main IRONMAN event will take place, with competitors starting the swim at Pennington Flash in Leigh, before a 56-mile bike ride through Leigh, Atherton, Horwich and Bolton, and finishing with a half marathon around Bolton.