Tears of joy and plenty of smiles as Night Run returns to Bolton

There were tears of joy and plenty of smiling faces as the Bolton Night Run returned to kick off the 2024 Ironman weekend.

More than 1,000 runners took to town centre streets to complete either a 5km or 10km run on Friday.

Runners set off at Le Mans Crescent to the sound of an air horn, blown by borough mayor, Cllr Andy Morgan, at 7pm – with the first runner crossing the finish line at Victoria Square just over 17 minutes later.

Michelle Buckle said it was 'nice to have a run with your mates' at Night Run (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Benjamin Barnes was the first to finish the 5km race, with a time of 17 minutes and nine seconds – beating second place Lee Peake by eight seconds.

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Speaking to The Bolton News, Benjamin said he had been running with Wigan Harriers for two years.

He added: “Great training, a great club – when I started I was about a 24-minute 5k runner, and about 17:10 today.

“Over the moon. First race I’ve ever won.”

Benjamin Barnes was the first to finish the 5km race (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Rachel Sidebotham was the first woman to cross the finish line just minutes later.

She said: “It was amazing. The whole weekend is a really good event. I’m no swimmer, so it’s good to be able to get involved in a different way.

“So many people running now will be supporting over the weekend as well, so it’s really good. A really good event.”

The first to cross the line in the 10k race was Jonathan Kearsley, who crossed the line just after 7.34pm. After getting up from the floor, a jubilant Jonathan told The Bolton News it felt ‘fantastic’ to win.

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He said: “I had a very close race the entire way around. I knew he was going to kick at the end, I just had to stay in front of him.”

He added: “I’m a two-time Ironman finisher, so if you can’t do Ironman, I’m here.”

James Oswald (left) and Jeff Hall (right) were handing out refreshments at the Night Run (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Caitlin O’Connor was the first woman to finish the 10k race.

Speaking through tears, the 22-year-old said: “It’s been a stressful week, and I didn’t go out for this time at all – I just felt so good and I just went for it with my whole heart.”

Caitlin, who said she had never won a race like this before, added: “It’s my first one, and I will be back, for sure.”

Not everyone at the Night Run was necessarily out to win, however.

Steve Clancy said the event was 'good for the local area' (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Ahead of the event, Cllr Morgan praised the event for its inclusivity.

He said: “The Night Run is so important to Bolton because it’s the start of our fantastic Ironman weekend and it’s about fun – anybody can take part in the Night Run.

“People who are going to walk it, 5k, 10k, to professional athletes who are warming up for Ironman on Sunday.

“It’s great to see so many people down here, let’s do it – tomorrow we have Ironkids, the largest Ironkids in the world so come down and support us, and on Sunday we’ve got the Ironman.”

The Night Run isn’t only open to humans, however.

Amid hundreds of human competitors was a marine animal usually found in the depths of the ocean.

Chris Hill is the deputy headteacher of Bolton St Catherine’s Academy – and a member of "Team Squid Heads".

Speaking ahead of the race, Chris said: “We wear squid hats and we do lots of running events, obstacle course races all over the country, all over the world.

“But today I’m with the best teammates ever, squids! I’m with 15 of my kids from my school and they’re in Year 6, and they’re running for the first time in a proper event.”

The program of events continues this weekend, with Ironkids set to take place on Saturday and Ironman 70.3 set to take place on Sunday.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.