Ironman hoping to return in 2013 (From The Bolton News)

Why such a negative comment?
The ironman has been in Bolton now for 4 years (I might add it only disrupts the town for 1 day a year so no real hardship) and to me it is a fantastic event.
Each year I have had a wander down Chorley New Road cheering them on and offering encouragement (mainly because a fella I know has competed every year) and I think it is just a well ran event. Remember people put these signs out as volunteers and also the fact that it is probably better doing that than running somebody over don't you think.
I am sure that if you were that desperate to get on to CNR then you will have found a way to get there so I dont think your day will have been put out too much?
I do not understand how people can be so negative about events held in Bolton. It brings money in to the town in the form of Hotels and Shops so what is the problem?
I live on the estate on Middlebrook so I think it is fair to say that in offering my comment I am well placed to do so as I live slap bang in the middle of the course.
I popped in to Tesco to get a couple of things on Saturday night and there were loads of athletes buying stuff for the following day (remember more money as earlier stated!!!)
Nothing in the world runs 100% smoothly all the time and when working with volunteers who give up their own time to help marshall the event I think they do a very good job.
Sorry William2701 but if you want to be so negative about the event stay indoors next year!!!
I for one hope it comes back and from speaking to the competitor that I know he has said the Bolton one is the best he has done (including foreign ones)
I just do not understand so much negativity - Maybe direct that towards the Bolton News who despite being a Bolton paper decide to advertise Man utd season tickets!!!

More money to the likes of Tesco, Asda, Premier Inn, DeVere Whites etc but apart from overtime for staff ( probably at rates not much above minimum wage) then not too much in the form of benefit to the town.

I too am from the area the Triathlon uses and have pointed out the disruption that the event brings to the area. I forgot to add the disruption to public transport. The bus stops showed a notice which promised a shuttle bus to take people to the nearest in use bus stop. I was on the course during the event for over an hour and didn't see any shuttle bus.

Totally agree with Danny85 (although slightly odd comment at the end there!)

It never ceases to amaze me just how negative people are about their own town on here.

There may be a few issues with signage and access but it's ONE DAY. Get over it and support one of the best events to come to Bolton in recent years.

Here's hoping that Ironman UK once again returns to Bolton and our part of Lancashire, what a great and prestigious event.
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Disruption for one day in the year is well woth it.
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On a negative note....no mention of this Ironman UK event on our local TV yet again, whilst they did mention a subutio competition in their city.

William2701 wrote:
More money to the likes of Tesco, Asda, Premier Inn, DeVere Whites etc but apart from overtime for staff ( probably at rates not much above minimum wage) then not too much in the form of benefit to the town.

I too am from the area the Triathlon uses and have pointed out the disruption that the event brings to the area. I forgot to add the disruption to public transport. The bus stops showed a notice which promised a shuttle bus to take people to the nearest in use bus stop. I was on the course during the event for over an hour and didn't see any shuttle bus.

if businesses benefit, then the town benefits. If there were no businesses, then the town could not flourish. If more money is spent, then the town benefits. If we do a good job on the Ironman, then we get a good reputation. If people choose to work overtime for a small wage, then that is their choice. I do not live on the triathlon route, so will refrain from commenting re disruption etc. as I am not entitled to do so. However, how do they fare in the IoM when it is TT Week? It must be beneficial to them because they have it every year.

It seems to be a Bolton thing to start with the negatives and simply find nothing decent to say. The ironman event covers a massive geographical area, theres always to be some issues with closing roads like CNR. I live in the area close to the Beehive r'bout that was closed early morning and so i simply went another way to get to where i needed to get to. I didn't moan and whinge, didnt slate the event, or have a pop at the stewards/volunteers, no quoting 'legalities' at people about the time the road signs went out, I just got on with it.
Later in the day i went to Queens Park and it was an fabulous atmosphere and to see thousands of people enjoying the day and supporting the athletes was great to see.

The down side for me is as someone has said and that is the lack of mention in the media, a massive endurance sporting event 5 days before the Olympics did deserve more.

Well done to the organisers and the fabulous athletes, see you next year!!!

Like Danny85, I also live in Lostock and so am well placed to comment on the "disruption" caused by the event as both the cycle route and the running route pass the end of our road "affecting" access all day.

I must say, all of the stewards I encountered were nothing but polite and helpful and were a credit to Ironman UK. We had visitors who came to watch the competition from our back garden which backs onto part of the course, they had no problems driving onto our road.

I think a bit of minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for such a fantastic event which not only attracts competitors from all over the world but also gives us Boltonians something else we can be proud of.
Lets see it as that, something to be proud of and not something we can have a moan about because we've nothing better to do.

I am glad to see that most Boltonians are behind the event and only have positive things to say... My comment with regards to the last part of my first post was that it irritates me that the Bolton News advertise Manchester things - Why not get behind the local team.....
Anyway that was just my dig and I am glad to see that people are generally happy about the event as it is a good un!!!

Heres to Bolton hosting it every year and as I previously said William2701 - Stay indoors next year or go away for the day somewhere out of town and with regards to making comments about people earning minimum wage - At least they get up and go to work which lets face it - a lot of people don't these days so whether they earn £6 an hour or £60 an hour a job is a job and all credit to them....

I think the comments so far speak volumes for the general support for this event. Long may it continue to be run in Bolton. When you think that this event was one which passed the pub in Eccleston decked out in honour of Bradley Wiggins we in Bolton are proud to have played our part in such a great sporting day. However, I do feel the organisers should listen to William's comments. He makes his points well and with credibility (as he lives in the immediate area). By listening to his comments and making a few slight changes which really just boil down to better communication I am sure everyone will relish next year's event.

I think william2701 needs to get out more the miserable git!!!!!

Haha Wild One that is a good one!!!

Well if we have to put up with this for another year, why not use Chorley Old Road instead of Chorley New for a change. Let's all have a share of this fantastic event. Whoop-di-doo!

@william2701 : This is ONE day per year. Get over it. The event is always enjoyed by children. I saw so many kids giving out high fives to competitors. Kids are inspired to enter running races and get out of the house. Surly this is worth a little inconvenience for ONE day a year!
I SAY KEEP IRONMAN IN BOLTON FOR OUR KIDS AND HELP INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES FROM BOLTON AND HORWICH.

alwaysbrightsideofli
fe wrote:
MAYBE William2701 should be a bit more optimistic and look at what benefits the event does bring to the town!!! Please William2701, look at what joy it brings to the community, look at how inspirational it can be for individuals. Bolton is so lucky to be able to host this event, it is great for bringing the community together and extremely beneficial for local businesses. I know of one local business that looks forward to this event every single year and it is the highlight of the year for this business. I imagine that it is the same for many other business. When the economy is struggling and small businesses are having to compete with large companies like Tesco, Premier Inn taking over the town, these events provide the small businesses with the opportunity to thrive! Maybe the 40% reduction in the congregation at the church was due to people going out and celebrating this great event and not due to inaccessibility! It is just one Sunday, one Sunday! I am a church goer and do not even agree with that comment regarding the 40% reduction. The organisers did a great job. Nothing can ever run perfectly. Why focus on the negatives? Every hope that it can go ahead in Bolton next year too!

The church in question has a regular main Sunday morning service congregation of 130-150+

This last Sunday it was 90.

There is my 40% for you.

oftbewildered wrote:

William2701 wrote: More money to the likes of Tesco, Asda, Premier Inn, DeVere Whites etc but apart from overtime for staff ( probably at rates not much above minimum wage) then not too much in the form of benefit to the town. I too am from the area the Triathlon uses and have pointed out the disruption that the event brings to the area. I forgot to add the disruption to public transport. The bus stops showed a notice which promised a shuttle bus to take people to the nearest in use bus stop. I was on the course during the event for over an hour and didn't see any shuttle bus.

if businesses benefit, then the town benefits. If there were no businesses, then the town could not flourish. If more money is spent, then the town benefits. If we do a good job on the Ironman, then we get a good reputation. If people choose to work overtime for a small wage, then that is their choice. I do not live on the triathlon route, so will refrain from commenting re disruption etc. as I am not entitled to do so. However, how do they fare in the IoM when it is TT Week? It must be beneficial to them because they have it every year.

The IOM TT has been going a lot more than 4 years and having been there I am more than aware that the local economy virtually depends on that event and the autumn Manx GP.

The TT fortnight is the only part of the year when the hotels in the IOM are booked solid.

William2701 wrote:

alwaysbrightsideofli

fe wrote:
MAYBE William2701 should be a bit more optimistic and look at what benefits the event does bring to the town!!! Please William2701, look at what joy it brings to the community, look at how inspirational it can be for individuals. Bolton is so lucky to be able to host this event, it is great for bringing the community together and extremely beneficial for local businesses. I know of one local business that looks forward to this event every single year and it is the highlight of the year for this business. I imagine that it is the same for many other business. When the economy is struggling and small businesses are having to compete with large companies like Tesco, Premier Inn taking over the town, these events provide the small businesses with the opportunity to thrive! Maybe the 40% reduction in the congregation at the church was due to people going out and celebrating this great event and not due to inaccessibility! It is just one Sunday, one Sunday! I am a church goer and do not even agree with that comment regarding the 40% reduction. The organisers did a great job. Nothing can ever run perfectly. Why focus on the negatives? Every hope that it can go ahead in Bolton next year too!

The church in question has a regular main Sunday morning service congregation of 130-150+

This last Sunday it was 90.

There is my 40% for you.

and for this to happen on 1 Sunday out of 52 is a problem because?????????????
???

William2701 wrote:

alwaysbrightsideofli

fe wrote:
MAYBE William2701 should be a bit more optimistic and look at what benefits the event does bring to the town!!! Please William2701, look at what joy it brings to the community, look at how inspirational it can be for individuals. Bolton is so lucky to be able to host this event, it is great for bringing the community together and extremely beneficial for local businesses. I know of one local business that looks forward to this event every single year and it is the highlight of the year for this business. I imagine that it is the same for many other business. When the economy is struggling and small businesses are having to compete with large companies like Tesco, Premier Inn taking over the town, these events provide the small businesses with the opportunity to thrive! Maybe the 40% reduction in the congregation at the church was due to people going out and celebrating this great event and not due to inaccessibility! It is just one Sunday, one Sunday! I am a church goer and do not even agree with that comment regarding the 40% reduction. The organisers did a great job. Nothing can ever run perfectly. Why focus on the negatives? Every hope that it can go ahead in Bolton next year too!

The church in question has a regular main Sunday morning service congregation of 130-150+

This last Sunday it was 90.

There is my 40% for you.

@William2701 : Who counts people going into a church on a Sunday morning???? WTF?? Maybe those folks where racing in the Ironman? Maybe they where supporting loved ones and friends? Maybe it was a nice sunny day and they had a day off Church? I don't think they will be stuck down by a lightening bolt will they?

William2701 wrote:
'Ironman Hoping to Return in 2013'

This will more than likely bring about cries of 'Oh No!' from residents and some businesses in especially the Heaton and Horwich areas.

Why will they have to put up with a 5th year of disruption?

Maybe Mr Stewart can explain why road signs showing no left or right turn (dependent upon which side of Chorley New Road you live) or ROAD CLOSED barriers were put out upto 3 full hours before the road actually closed between Beaumont Road and the junctions of Chorley Street, Chorley Old Road and Chorley New Road.

Maybe Mr Stewart can explain why a church on the route suffered a 40% drop in it's congregation over the weekend.

Maybe Mr Stewart can explain the attitude of many stewards or the team putting up the road signs 3 hours early which was not much better than couldn't care less or 'Little Hitler' attitudes. The team I challanged at just after 8am putting a road closed sign at the bottom of Markland Hill didn't seem to be all that bothered when I pointed out that the road didn't close until 11am so the sign was in fact illegal

Maybe Mr Stewart could explain the lack of marshalling on Chorley New Road at 11am which meant despite the fact the road was now closed motorists continued to travel in both directions and also ignored the road closed/ no left/right turn signs.

Maybe Mr Stewart should take the event elsewhere.

From what I witnessed yesterday, I wouldn't trust the organisers to run a tap.

On final thought for William2701 : I'll give a 100quid to a local charity if you do Ironman next year. Anyone fancy joining me in this? ;-) Hence we can turn some negative attitude into a positive! Create a JustGiving page William, get training, post the link here...

I think it's unfair to lambast the comment made about the church attendance. If someone voices their concern (and 40% is after all a big proportion) it should be listened to. Church goers (of which I am not) are most likely to be made up of lots families and older people, the same people who would most likely enjoy watching the event as well. Let's have a sensible discussion about it, it's in everyones interests the IM event stays in Bolton and disruption is minimised. Hats off to the council and organisers who seem to be doing this each year.

I hope the Ironman comes back to Bolton for many years to come. It's a fantastic event to have here. I live just off Chorley New Road and yes, the bottom of my road was closed, but it wasn't a massive inconvenience. I just went out another way, and then later on I walked into town rather than driving. Not that hard. And it's for 1 day.

And it's not just big businesses who benefit. My local did a roaring trade with queues through the door as people came out to watch the race. and the Ice cream vans had huge queues too. And my friends partner owns a bike shop and he got great trade as competitors came in for last minute items and emergency extras. fantastic for them in this economic climate.

I went out to watch and the atmosphere was brilliant. I chatted to people I've walked past in the street and never would have spoken to otherwise. It was a real community feel.

Keeping the Ironman can only be a good thing. Maybe those who are oppsed to it because it gets in their way a little bit should stop thinking of themselves and look around them.

I competed in the Ironman on Sunday and I have to say the people of Bolton were fantastic on all areas of the course, thank you so much for all your support!

I watched on Victoria Square with my family (one of whom got high fives!). They were very inspired and in awe of the athletes. Congratulations to all who took part. What an achievement! Please keep coming back to Bolton.

I have to say as an Horwich Resident i am somewhat fed up with the bloody road cloasures of one race after another.

First it is the Horwich Races of which about half a dozen people run or cycle around every 15 mins. Then there is the carnival event, then there is the Iron Man. Can we not have a bit of joined up thinking and combine them? Surely it would cost less?

There are also numberous other events that are run that done require closures, there was a trathlon the week before the ironman which was run with roads open.

I agree with the marshals couldn't care less attitude, at the aforementioned triathlon I was berated by the marshals for rolling my car slowly between the (just changed to green) pedestrian crossing and the lights at Winter Hey Lane (red) and told to "get out of the way"!!!

Dear atlas123 . The Triathlon you mention was an NHS Triathlon. Do you not think that we owe these people something by way of a thank-you for all their hard work and unsociable hours?? It's similar with the Ironman. Many folks compete out of the Forces, Police, Firefighters and NHS etc. We owe these folks a thanks and if this is one way to do it then lets continue.

If you avoid the road closures Atlas123 then you won't be told to get out of the way! Is that simple enough advice for you?

wow STOP being so negative and bitter about this event people.
I think the iron man event is great for the area and if it inspires kids to get out and try at least one of the 3 sports the woo success and as for the churches they are not a business so i hardly think its going to affect them in anyway.
its one day a year and its great that the organisers like Bolton enough to want to come back. The only negative is it doesn't get advertised enough, i only knew because of the signs warning about road closures. GOOO Bolton Iron Man!!!!

Really hope the event returns next year!! its good for the businesses and Bolton. But agree the organisers need to pull the socks up and do a better job.

William, Ironman is a religion. I for one said my prayers a few times during the run. ;-)