The Ironman UK triathlon returned to Bolton on August 4 and Rotary District 1280 was there for the fourth year running, to cheer the athletes on and run two much needed feeding stations. The athletes aim to complete a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride then a 26.2 mile marathon.
Ironman UK runs four events in Britain and Ireland each year raising thousands of pounds for charity. The races offer athletes the opportunity to test themselves in one of the greatest one day challenges in the world.
Local Rotarians ran two feeding stations in what was a great example of Rotary clubs working together to serve the community. The Rotary Clubs of Bolton Lever, Horwich, Middleton and Radcliffe ran the Beehive feeding station and the Rotary Clubs of Bolton and Bolton Daybreak ran the Lostock feeding stations.
This year, 56 athletes were running as Rotary Charity Fundraisers, coordinated by Russ King, of the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles. Rotarian Phil Hersee, a trustee of Rotary Charity Fundraisers said: “The enthusiasm and camaraderie of the Rotarians was evident, and that was reflected in their approach to the athletes.”
Ironman UK will return to Bolton next year. In the meantime, the Rotary clubs in Bolton, Radcliffe and Middleton are busy distributing £33,000 raised by the 2012 event in Bolton. The funds are going to charities ranging from mountain rescue and air ambulance, to local hospices and cancer charities.
