The 2009 race was hard for everyone and tougher than many expected and here are some pictures to help you visualise what the course means in reality. The first section from the Anderton Centre is slightly downhill for about a quarter of a mile and then you hit the long straight road that goes past the Reservoir: at the end of that stretch the road dips down past the United Utilities plant and then there is a short climb to the outskirts of Horwich as below:   the roundabout at the top of this incline (where the red brick building is at the top of the photo) is the turnaround point when you make the return journey back towards Horwich - on the way out just past this point the road is quite undulating for a mile or two: the road then follows a similar vein through quite populated areas which will be great for support until it comes to the roundabout near the Beehive Pub and the Reebok Stadium which is just to the right of this photo below. Where the red car is on the picture is where the Aid Station is situated.  the next photo shows the view backwards to the Beehive !! as you can see the route is far from flat and once over the crest ahead you go past the Golf Club and then turn right down Regent Road (below): This road is full of large houses and should be nice and shady if the day is a hot one ! In the 2009 race many of the local householders came out into the street to watch the race and there were offers of water and icepops along the way At the bottom of Regent Road you need to cross the railway line over this bridge:   once over the railway bridge, you drop onto the Middlebrook Cycle Path which runs alongside the railway and a golf course. The picture below shows the end part of the cycle path as you reach the turn off for Overdale Road.   There is a spiral path that leads up from the cycle path to the bridge up to Overdale Road and it is quite steep. The road then flattens but is quite rough as you cross the bridge that you have just climbed up to:   you will then reach the toughest 20m of the day, a sharp steep hill,  and although the picture shows the surface to be very rough underfoot it was totally resurfaced in smooth tarmac for the race day !   through a metal gate (which was open on race day) and then you have then got a much better surface, but still a steepish climb up Overdale Road     once through this tough bit you are on to Chorley New Road and you will pass "Bolton School" on your right then on and into Queens Park where you need to beware !!!! - The loop around the park contains a very steep hill which is a mental killer on race day !!!! You will need to complete this tough little hill twice to get round. before eventually ending up in Bolton Town Hall Square for the "Rocky" finish !!!     Although this picture is blurry it gives you a feel for the finish that awaits you !