BOLTON’S biggest and best Ironkids yet saw thousands of youngsters put their best foot forward.

A total of 2,500 young athletes – more than ever before – took part in fun runs through Bolton town centre today.

Children aged three to 14 ran in races ranging from a 500m course for the youngest children up to 2.5km for teenagers in school years nine and ten.

This was the fourth time Ironkids had been staged in Bolton, with both Ironkids and the full Ironman UK triathlon here to stay until 2017.

Waveney Thomson, spokesman for Ironman UK, said the event had been a “huge success”.

She added: “Ironkids was a fantastic way to start the Ironman weekend, and it was wonderful to see so many young people taking part and getting active.

“This is about getting children involved in sport and exercise from a young age and encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“There were no winners in the races as it was truly about taking part.

“To have the support of Bolton Council once again has been fantastic.”

Four-year-old Ben Barkworth and big sister Elisha, aged eight, had travelled from Fleetwood to take part in their respective races.

Dad Mike, aged 33, completed the Bolton Ironman two years ago and has done three of the gruelling ultra-triathlons in total.

He said: “I have brought the kids back every year since I did Bolton Ironman two years ago.

“Bolton was my first Ironman, so it has a special place in my heart.

“It is a local race and it is not something you get very often – there is such a fantastic atmosphere in the town.

“There are people who I met when I did the Ironman in Bolton two years ago that I have seen again today. We keep in touch and come back every year.”

Proud dad Joe Harper, from Bradshaw, watched four-year-old son William complete his first Ironkids race.

Mr Harper, aged 30, said: “It is the first time he has run it but he loved it, and did really well.

“I think it is a fantastic thing to have in Bolton. It is great there is something for all the children to take part in.”

Proudly showing off their medals were Mu'awiyah Gani, aged seven and nine-year-old Aafiyah Gani who both live in Ladybridge.

Aafiyah said: “I loved it but it was quite hard. I can't wait to do it next year.” Mu'awiyah added: “I was nervous but I tried really hard. My throat got dried up because I was running so fast.”

Brother and sister Jacob Nelson, aged 11, and eight-year-old Maddie O’Brien, raised £190 in sponsorship for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Their proud mum Julie O'Brien, from Horwich, said: “Together Maddie and Jacob have both raised £190 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by taking part in Ironkids.

“Maddie has a genetic mutation called Weaver Syndrome and we are at the hospital a lot, so we wanted to give something back.”

Volunteers from Rotary Clubs from across the region were on hand during the Ironkids races to offer support, hand out medals and bottles of water and marshal the course.

Cllr John Byrne, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for culture, youth and sport, said: “Congratulations to all our Ironkids. It was brilliant to see their enthusiasm as they took part in the event.

“It is great Ironkids has proved to be so popular with runners, their families and visitors turning out in their thousands.

“The event really does go from strength to strength each year, and together with Ironman the whole weekend brings a real boost to Bolton and the wider region.”