Registration for next year’s coveted Ironman UK is set to open later this week, with all budding athletes encouraged to enter.

This years event, which was due to take place last weekend, had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, disappointing the many that flock to watch and take part every year, but registration for 2021 entries will open this Thursday at 1pm.

2021's event will be held on July 4.

The gruelling Ironman UK race consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Pennington Flash, a 112-mile bike ride in and around Bolton, finishing with a marathon into Bolton town centre.

Bolton has held the national event every year since 2009.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: "The Ironman weekend is one of the biggest sporting events in the region and one of the best weekends in the year for our town.

"Ironman is a huge test of endurance and one of the ultimate challenges anyone can take on.

"Our borough has been hosting this brilliant event for many years now, and we are looking forward to welcoming all our athletes and spectators.

"We hope to see everyone who was going to take part this year, and we will be working with Ironman to make next year’s events the best yet."

Ironman UK Race Director, Sam Brawn, added: "We have been working hard to make sure that next year’s race is even bigger and better.

"We cannot wait to once again experience the thrill of racing and to welcome all the athletes and supporters to the 2021 race."

Not to let months and months of training go to waste however, many people got involved in their own activities to make up for missing the great event.

Suleyman Altinsoy rode from Farnworth to Blackpool and back on July 10, a distance of 94-miles, and Afsana Patel, who had signed up to to the 5k Ironman Nightrun, did 6k on the same night instead.

She said: "I pushed myself to run 6km and kept the Ironman spirit alive!"

Bolton will also again be hosting the 5k Night Run and Ironkids on July 2 and 3 next year.

Entries will be limited. For more information and to register visit ironman.com/im-uk-register.