CYCLISTS and runners are preparing to take to the streets of Horwich for this year's expanded Festival of Racing.

For the first time this year the festival will run for two days rather than one, with a full programme of events scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.

The event, which has previously featured Olympic cyclists Jason Kenny, Laura Trott, Lizzie Armistead and Dame Sarah Storey, is also enjoyed by hundreds of amateur competitors or those taking part for fun.

Saturday's events will start with a mass fun run at noon, where participants are invited to complete the event in fancy dress.

A mass cycle ride will then follow at 1.30pm, with both events starting and finishing in Winter Hey Lane. Further races will then follow during the day.

Competitors in the triathlon on Sunday will have to be up bright and early at 7am, starting at Horwich Leisure Centre and finishing at the Public Hall in Horwich.

Participants will swap two wheels for just one with a unicycling race at 1pm on Sunday.

In addition, orienteering and a range of cycling races on the relative safety of two wheels will continue during the day.

The festival will also play host to the British Masters Athletic Federation's five kilometre UK walking championships, as well as its five kilometre running championships.

Volunteers from Bolton Mountain Rescue Team will be on hand during the festival working alongside organisers to make sure any incidents or accidents receive a swift and effective response.

Alistair Greenough, team leader of the organisation, said it is using specialist tracking software to help locate anyone injured, especially in the fell race set to take place on Friday at 7.30pm.

He said: "We expect to deal with a variety of minor incidents over the weekend and to assist North West Ambulance Service if they are called in. The MRMap tracking software should avoid any confusion with colloquial place names or grid references if we need to send a team onto the moor.”

Barbara Ronson, president of the festival, added: "We are very grateful that Bolton Mountain Rescue are on standby during the festival, not just to patch up any of our cyclists who tumble off their bikes but also to provide support to the ambulance service if they need to access patients within the town centre when Alistair and his team provide a vital first response and a link to the race marshalling team."

Residents and businesses are being advised of road closures set to take effect during the festival.

From 10am to 10pm on Saturday June 18, the following roads will be closed: Lee Lane from its junction with Winter Hey Lane to the Crown Roundabout; Chorley New Road between the Crown roundabout and Winter Hey Lane; Jones Street between Lee Lane and Peter Martin Street; Winter Hey Lane, and St John’s St.

From 6am to 6pm on Sunday, June 19, the following roads will be closed: Chorley New Road between the Crown roundabout and Winter Hey Lane; Lee Lane from its junction with Winter Hey Lane to the Crown Roundabout, and Winter Hey Lane.

On Sunday, at approximately 10.45am and 12.20pm, Church Street will be closed for 20 minutes from the Horwich Leisure Centre to allow runners to pass safely.

Signposted diversions will be in place and marshals will be present to assist affected residents and businesses to use the alternative routes around the town centre.

Businesses on the Pearl Brook industrial estate can access the site from Chorley New Road, and motorists are advised that car parks on St John’s St will also be closed for the weekend.

For more information horwichfestivalofracing.co.uk