IRONMAN UK may not have gone ahead this year because of the pandemic ­— but that did not stop people across Bolton setting their own sporting challenges to test their mettle.

Suleyman Altinsoy smashed his own personal target and rode from Farnworth to Blackpool and back on Friday.

The Bolton News:

He said: “This is a massive achievement for me. At one point I nearly gave up and got the train back but I pushed on and saw some amazing views and scenery ­— 94miles is my longest single ride yet, next target to smash is 100 miles.”

Afsana Patel had signed up to to the 5k Ironman Nightrun and her training did not go to waste ­— she carried on her training and pushed herself.

She said: “On what would have been my first Nightrun, I pushed myself to run 6km and kept the Ironman spirit alive!”

Proud family of Phillip Newberry spoke of their pride.

Wife Jenny said he completed his first Ironman after breaking his collarbone.

She said: "So proud to say I'm married to an iron man."

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “It’s great to see that people have really got into the spirit of the weekend, and taken on all sorts of challenges.

“It just shows the love for Ironman in our borough and we’re already counting down to next year’s race weekend.”

Ironman UK will be back in Bolton next year.