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Local Area Information

there is a main line train station at the Reebok Stadium called HORWICH PARKWAY  (the line runs regularly between Preston-Bolton-Manchester)

The M61 motorway has a junction (6) within half a mile of the Reebok Stadium and Horwich

Manchester International Airport lies within 30-45 minutes drive from Horwich

BOLTON The town of Bolton sits on the northern outskirts of Manchester. The race HQ and Village are housed next to the reservoir in the small village of Rivington which adjoins the larger town of Horwich (which for the football fans out there is where the REEBOK STADIUM is located). The swim course is centre around Rivington Reservoir, whilst the run route goes through Horwich town centre.   HORWICH / RIVINGTON Horwich and Rivington themselves lie on the lower slopes of the Pennine Moors and Winter Hill is the imposing climb that overlooks the reservoirs and the small castle turret that can be seen is know locally as "The Pike". The Commonwealth Games that were held in Manchester used the hills around the area to good effect on the Road Race course. Even more imposing than the PIke is the TV/Radio mast which can be seen for miles around. You can read more about it and its history by clicking HERE   THE SURROUNDING AREAS To the West of the area the roads can still generate some steep climbs (around Wigan, Parbold and Ashurst -  there are some 14% ascents), but once you are over these the area becomes pan flat, as you head towards Southport and the coast  but the terrain becomes very open and exposed to the winds. Some of the rides into Southport can take you 10 plus miles into the teeth of a headwind. Similarly on some other routes the crosswinds can be just as mind destroying.