Ironkids UK: children’s running event held as part of Ironman UK triathlon returning to Bolton - how to enter

Registration for the popular event putting young people through their paces in the town centre opens this week.
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A popular children’s running event which takes place during one of the highlights of the annual events calendar in a Greater Manchester town will be back in 2023, it has been announced.

Details of the Ironkids UK event, which takes place during the weekend of the Ironman UK triathlon in Bolton town centre, have been unveiled and registration opens this week.

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Thousands of youngsters will be put through their paces as they take on the course which finishes right in the middle of town underneath the iconic Ironman UK arch. The event is the biggest of its kind held anywhere in the world and happens on the weekend that ultra-athletes come to Bolton to pit themselves against the fearsome Ironman UK course.

Here’s what you need to know about when the Ironkids UK event is and how you can sign your young athlete up for it.

When is Ironkids UK taking place in 2023, where is it and how do you register?

Ironkids UK will take place in Bolton on Saturday 1 July 2023. The event sees children between the ages of three and 15 take part in in a run of various distances, with three-to-five-year-olds covering a distance of 500m, six-to-10-year-olds running a 1km route and the 11-to-15-year-olds taking on a 1.5km run.

All participants who complete their distances will receive a finisher’s medal and t-shirt. To make the occasion even more exciting and enhance the sense of achievement the youngsters will also get to finish their Ironkids UK run on the iconic red carpet which marks the end of the Ironman UK triathlon course before passing under the finishing arch.

The Ironkids UK event in Bolton town centre in 2022The Ironkids UK event in Bolton town centre in 2022
The Ironkids UK event in Bolton town centre in 2022
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Around 4,000 young runners usually take to the start line for Ironkids UK. Registration for the 2023 event opens on Thursday 27 October at 2pm and you can sign up on the Ironman UK website here. Parents are warned that all the places for previous events have gone within the first month.

Ironkids UK takes place in the middle of three days of athletic events in and around Bolton. The Friday night is when the Night Run, a family-friendly 5km race which attracts around 1,000 participants, is held before the Ironman UK triathlon takes place on the Sunday with super-fit athletes taking on the gruelling endurance challenge of a 2.1-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full 26.2 mile marathon run.

What has been said about the return of Ironkids UK to Bolton?

Dean Smith, Ironman UK race director, said: “This is one of my favourite events on our race calendar. No times are taken, with the emphasis being on participation and enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle. Every child is made to feel like a winner simply by participating and finishing.

“It is terrific to see so many kids getting outside and participating in a healthy activity and enjoying every moment. Hopefully, this inspires the kids to adopt a healthier lifestyle from a young age and maybe even to one day emulate their Ironman heroes.”

The Ironkids events finish beneath the iconic Ironman UK arch in front of Bolton town hallThe Ironkids events finish beneath the iconic Ironman UK arch in front of Bolton town hall
The Ironkids events finish beneath the iconic Ironman UK arch in front of Bolton town hall
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Bolton Council deputy leader, Coun Hilary Fairclough, said: “Bolton is home to the world’s largest Ironkids event and it remains a hugely popular part of our Ironman weekend. There is always a fun, family-friendly atmosphere in the town centre, with large crowds cheering the runners on and supporting local businesses. It also inspires young people in Bolton to get active, and we have already seen previous Ironkids participants move on the compete in the adult Ironman events.”

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