SPECTATORS at next month’s Ironman UK event will be encouraged to use two coronavirus testing centres in the town centre on the day of the race.

Bolton Council has announced measures they will put in place to help the event to be as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy.

The triathlon, which usually attracts athletes from around the world, will take place in Bolton and the surrounding area on Sunday, July 4.

As part of the Ironman weekend, a NightRun event will also take place on the evening of Friday, July 2.

The council is encouraging any spectators to take a test and these will be available free on the event days in Victoria Square and Queens Park.

Everyone attending is encouraged to maintain virus safety measures, including washing hands regularly and keeping a suitable distance from others.

Council staff will be working as Covid officers and will be on hand to remind people of these safety precautions, as well as handing out face coverings and signposting people to the nearest hand sanitising units.

In order to help with social distancing along the route, the cycle lane Orca wands along Chorley New Road will be removed ahead of the event.

As well as creating more space for social distancing, removing them will help improve safety for competitors during both the running and cycling phases of the event.

The wands were installed on Chorley New Road earlier this year as part of the Emergency Active Travel Fund programme.

A public consultation has been carried out on whether or not to make the scheme permanent, and feedback is being evaluated ahead of a formal decision by the council.

To stop the spread of infection, spectators are advised to take a test prior to attending the event, even if they do not have symptoms.

The tests give results within 30 minutes.

Other pop-up test collection points will be made available near to the race route ahead of the event.

Cllr David Greenhalgh, council leader, said: “These events always bring a special atmosphere to the town centre and I’m sure everyone in Bolton is looking forward to welcoming back Ironman.

“As a town we have worked hard over recent weeks to reduce our Covid infection rates and we want to keep up this good work as we gradually open up and welcome events back to the borough.

“We urge spectators to get tested ahead of the event and ask anyone attending to continue to follow national guidelines on social distancing.

“Safety measures will be in place to ensure the event can be enjoyed safely by everyone.”

Race director, Sam Brawn said: “We are committed to conducting races in a way that reduces risk for athletes, volunteers, and host communities and will continue to utilize our safe return to racing event guidelines, a series of comprehensive operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for open air mass participation sporting events.

“Our teams have been building race plans with the very best in the industry and will implement the recommendations set out by the government as they relate to the impacts of Covid-19.”