BOLTON is gearing up for a weekend of exhilarating endurance action as both the Ironkids and Ironman races take place in and around the borough.

Both events have grown year on year and the borough is set to host its biggest ever Ironman weekend.

On Saturday, 2,500 youngsters aged between three and 14 will run a variety of differences during the world’s largest Ironkids event.

Then on Sunday, 2,650 men and women will take part in the ultimate endurance test in the seventh Bolton Ironman.

The race will involve a 2.4-mile swin in Pennington Flash, followed by a 112-mile cycle ride through Rivington and Chorley, finishing with a marathon to Bolton town centre.

Race organisers have highlighted the best places to watch the action over the weekend.

The swimming section can be best viewed at the edge of Pennington Flash, while cycling fans are advised to set up camp in Belmont, Adlington, Rivington, Hilldale or Standish.

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Marathon are recommended to watch from Chorley New Road or at the finish line in Le Mans Crescent.

The three NCP car parks in the town centre — at Topp Way, Deane Road and the Octagon — will all offer free parking over the weekend.

The race will result in a number of road closures being put in place around Bolton over the weekend.

Key roads will be closed in the town centre — this year Ironkids will start and finish in Le Mans Crescent and the finish line for Ironman has been moved from Victoria Square to Le Mans Crescent.

From 1am on Friday to noon on Monday, vehicles will not be able to enter or exit Le Mans Crescent from Deansgate or Ashburner Street.

Knowsley Street to Deansgate will be closed for Ironkids from 6am to 1pm and 9am to midnight for Ironman.

Due to the cycling route, some roads in Westhoughton will be closed from 6am to 9.30am, including Platt Lane from North Road to Park Road.

From 6am to 5.30pm, Chorley New Road will also be closed from Beaumont Road to Lee Lane to allow cyclists to pass through safely.

Chorley New Road will be closed from 10.30am to midnight for the marathon, from Beaumont Road to the junction with St George’s Road and Chorley Old Road. Marshals will be present to allow access for emergency services, residents, and businesses.

Shoppers are advised that Middlebrook Retail Park will be open as usual.

Participants will be travelling from far and wide to take part in the Ironman — with entries registered from countries including South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and Japan.

There are also more participants from Bolton taking part than ever before and local athletes have been sending their ‘selfie’ pictures to us using the hashtag #IamBoltonIronman.

One of the more notable entrants this year is sports television presenter Charlie Webster, who is taking part on behalf of the homeless charity Centrepoint.

She said: “I’m taking on the UK Ironman Triathlon in Bolton because a marathon is just not enough.

"Anyone who knows me knows I’m not afraid of a challenge — but this could be my biggest one yet.”

Another well-known character taking part this year is Farnworth-born former pro-boxer Robin White.

He embarked on the challenge after retiring from boxing because of an injury and has already raised an incredible £12,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The 35-year-old said: “When I started training last year I had never swam more than ten lengths before so I have come a long way.”

“I am a bit nervous — but I am used to getting nerves from my boxing career and they just spur me on — I’m looking forward to competing in my home town.”