IF it wasn’t for a band of Mexican wrestlers, Bolton’s fastest Ironman Mathew Elliston admits he may not have finished his hometown event.

The colourfully-clad spectators were stationed at the top of Sheephouse Lane on Sunday, cheering on the 2,700-strong field at the highest part of the 112-mile bike course.

Their support helped the 40-year-old human resources manager, from Green Lane, Horwich, make it through some dark moments and propelled him to 10hrs 34mins 45secs – the best time of the 116 Boltonians taking part in the endurance race.

“If you can picture the scene, I had my first glimpse of these guys at about 8am, just after the rain had started to die down,” he said.

“I came over the brew of a hill, down a dip and was just starting to ascend the final incline when there they were – four or five guys wearing leotards, full face masks and capes.

“If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, even in the Ironman, then nothing will.”

And Elliston certainly needed it.

Despite tackling the bike course more than 50 times in training, he admits to being surprised by the severity of the challenge posed by the Bolton Ironman.

“This was my fifth Ironman but my first Ironman UK, and I can tell you it will be my last,” he said.

“I have done the Ironman in Austria, Switzerland and Lanzarote, which is supposed to be a tough course, but none of them came close to this.

“It is an absolutely brutal course and I don’t mind saying it broke me. I am retired now.

“The worst bit was the run. Most marathon courses are flat, but not in Bolton. I heard that the course ascends some 346 metres during the 26 miles – that is the equivalent to running up to the top of Rivington Pike.

“To do that after a 2.4-mile swim and such a punishing bike ride is just cruel."

Despite being Bolton’s fastest Ironman on the day, Elliston actually posted his worst ever time, way short of his personal best of 9hrs 22mins.

“It’s a slow course,” he added. “The professionals normally finish in eight hours but run just under nine hours around Bolton.

“So you need that support to get you through it, which is why I have to thank the Bolton people from the bottom of my heart.

"I feel for the spectators. We train all year for this but nothing quite prepares you to stand in the cold for 17 hours.

"The Ironman is a battle against yourself – you want to stop, but the crowd cheering you on makes you want to take that extra step.

“This one ticked off my bucket list and I am so glad to have experienced it, I have never experienced support like it anywhere else, but never again.”