Would-be Bolton iron men include brave scaffolder who couldn't swim 8 months ago

The annual event will see competitors pit themselves against a 2.4 mile open water swim of Pennington flash, a 112 mile bike ride and a marathon finishing in Le Mans Crescent.

Thousands will line roads around the borough to watch intrepid participants take on the endurance spectacle on July 17.

While some will be aiming for a particular time – others will simply be hoping to complete the course.

We asked for your training selfies and plenty of you got in touch with details of your gruelling fitness regimes.

On Monday, we’re publishing a complete guide to Ironman 2016, including route maps, road closures, the best place to watch the action from and even more competitor profiles.

Pick up your copy on Monday and keep sending your selfies to webdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk so we can add them to this story.

Alternatively, Message us on Facebook via facebook.com/theboltonnews or tweet us on Twitter @TheBoltonNews

Remember to include your full name, age, occupation and how you've been training for the event, as well as the time you hope to achieve.

Among the most inspirational stories of competitors at this year’s event will be Damien Lewarne from Deane, who didn’t even know how to swim properly eight months ago.

After joining a local fitness group and making incredibly quick progress, he’s now ready to take on the testing triathlon.

“I have friends that have done Ironman, but I’ve always been adamant that I couldn’t swim,” said the 33-year-old scaffolder.

“The fear has always got the better of me. I’d do five strokes in a pool and panic and have to stand up.”

Damien joined Smooth Tri, a local group of people who come together to help each other with their fitness goals.

Working alongside trainer Neil Booth as well as friend and fellow Ironman 2016 competitor, Dean Brooks, he’s overcome his fears and is ready for the challenge.

“I’ve got to the point where I can do three miles in open water now.

“I’ve always been a strong runner and have been making good progress on the bike.

“I’ve said all along that I just want to complete it. That’s my aim and to raise some money for the Scope charity.”

Dean Brooks, 24, from Deane works in scaffolding and is training mates with Damien Lewarne.

He trains six days a week with Smooth Tri and after a disappointing Ironman attempt last year, is looking for redemption in 2016.

“I participated in Ironman Bolton in 2015 and got a Did Not Finish due to lack of knowledge, training and motivation,” he explained.

“This year I've shed pounds, joined Smooth Tri and given 100 per cent in training, as well as changing my lifestyle and diet.

“I'm looking to just finish iron man in time to be called an ‘iron man’. I decided to take on Ironman for as part of a dare and now I'm hooked. After last year’s disappointing DNF I can't wait to be on the red carpet crossing the finish line.”

Chris Bramah, 32, is a personal trainer and massage therapist from Lostock. He is also the Bolton News fitness columnist

He said: “I train twice a day in the week swim in the pool or open water, bike indoors and out and run sessions and do my long ride and run at weekend.

“I planned to do the Ironman two years ago after watching the event in the town centre, then last year my little girl Lyla did Ironkids and I got the buzz of the weekend.

“I would like to complete it between 13-and-a-half and fourteen-and-half hours, but overall just to cross that finish line is the big goal.”

Stephen Bate, 23, is a litigation executive at Keoghs Solicitors from Westhoughton.

He chose to do Ironman to cap off an incredible two year Challenge 26 fundraising effort for the Gary Parkinson Trust Fund in which he ran, swan and cycled in 26 separate endurance events.

He trains 12-14 hours per week, including several three mile runs to 40 minute spin classes at Bolton arena, indoor swimming and outdoor swimming at Pennington flash, as well as a five hour bike ride.

He said: “I didn't know what else would have been a bigger challenge after challenge 26. I’m hoping to achieve between 13 and 14 hours.”

Damon Hesford, 30, from Halliwell.is an English teacher at Sharples School.

He said: “I train as much as possible but, like most Ironman athletes, work demands sometimes get in the way.

“There are plenty of hours taken up marking and planning lessons when I'd rather be cycling, so it is slightly less structured than some people’s training regimes.”

Damon is hoping the experience of six other iron-distance races, including two previous Bolton Ironman events, will get him round the course.

He added: “I have been injured this year when I sprained my ankle falling off the bottom stair at a hotel in Harrogate and was on crutches for a month, so I'm not where I'd like to be in terms of fitness. “I'm about 15 minutes slower over marathons this year compared to 2015 so expect that to be reflected in my performance in Bolton.

“I'd like to get round in about 12 hours but I'm not sure how likely that is. Whatever the outcome, I'm not looking forward to the five lessons the day after!”

Paul Crook, 45, from Sharples is a warehouse team leader in a solar panel company.

“I first got into ironman when I was watching the Bolton event in 2012 and thought: ‘I could do that.

“12 months later I was on the start line and finished my first ironman event.

“I did the Bolton event again in 2014, finishing my second ironman.

“In 2015 I started and finished 3 ironman events South Africa, Bolton and Wales and I have got three again in 2016.

“I finished Lanzarote in May and have got Bolton and Mallorca in September.

“I usually get my training in after work. Working a 7am-3pm shift helps.

“I probably don't do enough training but it's hard sometimes when you work full time.”

While plenty of Boltonians are competing, the event also draws people from all over the world – giving Bolton a bit tourism boost.

Matthew Porter, 35 is visiting from Sutton, Surrey.

“I’m visiting the lovely town of Bolton for Ironman,” said Matthew, who is a detective sergeant in the MET Police.

“I have been training around 10 hours a week. I have two young children and have to plan around looking after them.

“I run 10 miles home from work and have trained in early mornings or late evenings to fit it all in.

“I only swam once or twice a week and focused on run and cycle session mostly.

“I'm hoping for 12 hours. I am raising money for Macmillan, with more than £2,000 raised so far. I wanted a serious challenge to go with my fundraising and Ironman was that challenge.”