THE grandeur of Le Mans Crescent will be a sight for sore eyes for many Ironmen on Sunday – and for one competitor it’ll be a welcome return to a place he knows better as ‘The Eden Club’.
If 28-year-old Londoner, Paul Bullion, looks familiar – that’s because he starred in one of the UK’s most acclaimed drama series for years: Peaky Blinders.
Playing hard-man Billy Kitchen during the second series, Paul was part of the Shelby gang who attacked and seized the Eden Club – the exterior of which was represented by Le Mans Crescent.
By coincidence, the grand semi-circular sweep of buildings behind Bolton Town Hall is also the finishing line of Ironman 2016.
“I started watching videos on YouTube of past Ironman Bolton events. Then I saw the finish line and thought: ‘I know that place!’” said Paul.
“I have very fond memories of my time in Peaky Blinders. The exterior shots of The Eden Club were filmed there on night shoots.
“There are beautiful buildings in Bolton. I always feel fond of places that bring back happy memories and I'm very excited to return.”
Paul will be running Ironman to raise money for Scope and is hoping for to cross the line in under 13.5 hours – having had previous experience of endurance events and long distance bike rides.
He added: “I've always wanted to do an Ironman race from about six years ago, when I learned what it was.
“I was so inspired by a video of a man in America carrying his disabled son through multiple Ironman events, I thought to myself: ‘I have to do one’.
“I’ve not been killing myself in training, but I’ve been training often. I'm a bit stubborn and when I have an idea in my head I have to see it through.
“I feel good. Very positive and I accept that it will take my mind and body to a place I've never known.
“But that's the challenge and I embrace it. I was attracted to Bolton because of the tough reputation of the layout.
“I Cycled through Lancashire on my way to Glasgow in 2014. Although it's beautiful. It ain't easy. A proper challenge.”
We’ll be running a live blog of Ironman throughout Sunday.
Tune in to theboltonnews.co.uk to see all the updates
To sponsor Paul’s Ironman race in aid of Scope, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Bullion1
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