Ironman Bolton drama as police chase down suspect who ran onto course
'He wasn't quick enough to escape our officers'
Cops were quick out of the blocks to chase down and catch a suspect who tried to sprint away after he jumped onto the official course of a huge triathlon event mid-race on Sunday.
The Ironman UK triathlon returned to Bolton and Wigan this weekend, with large crowds turning out to watch elite athletes run, swim and cycle.
The main event was being held today, Sunday, with a 1.2-mile swim course taking place at Pennington Flash Country Park, near Leigh in Wigan. That was being followed by a 56-mile bike course, through the villages of Lowton, Abram and Bickershaw before heading north towards Bolton, followed by the run element.
The run was drawing to a close among the historic buildings of central Bolton before competitors were hitting the finish line in front of Bolton Town Hall.
But police had their own running to do - after officers spotted a wanted man in the crowd at around 11am in the town centre.
Greater Manchester Police said he jumped over barriers onto the course - but wasn't quick enough to make his getaway.
Several officers were involved in the subsequent chase, which happened mid-race on Victoria Square, GMP said.
In a post on Facebook on Sunday, GMP Bolton said: "Officers on duty for IronMan this morning spotted a wanted male making his way through the crowds.
"Upon spotting police, he jumped over onto the course, but wasn't quick enough to escape our officers. The male has been arrested on suspicion of theft and failing to appear in court for a previous conviction. He is on route to custody, and will remain there for questioning."
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Sgt Jess Prudence said: "The race had already started when one of our officers spotted the man and knew he was wanted. When he was approached, the suspect ran off and jumped over the barriers, and ran down the course with the race under way.
"Several of our officers in hi-vis, plain clothes and an off-duty officer chased him on Victoria Square before arresting him."
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and failing to appear in court. He remained in custody for questioning on Sunday, the force added.
The incident marks the second arrest at the annual triathlon - after a man was arrested on Friday during the Night Run event. He attempted to switch off the event's sound system.
GMP Bolton added in a social media post: "The weather held off for most of the event and didn’t dampen the mood, but one male tried to - when he attempted to unplug the sound system!
"He was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and remains in custody for questioning." There's been no update given.
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