AS dawn broke, athletes gathered at Pennington Flash to begin their journey to becoming an Ironman.

Their day started at 5am with what many describe as the toughest part of the course — the 2.4 mile swim — in the popular beauty spot.

The athletes had travelled from around the world to be part of the gruelling triathlon, billed as one of the toughest in the world.

Some have completed the course before, others were testing their fitness levels to the extreme for the first time.

Professional athletes joined amateurs as they made the splash at 6am.

Aaron Fleming, aged 34, travelled from New Zealand as he fulfils his ambition to become an Ironman UK in every continent

He decided to become an Ironman after undergoing major surgery and was determined to prove he was still fit enough to take on any challenges.

Aaron said: “This is my 11th Ironman and the first in Bolton.

“I want to do one on every continent.

“The support you receive on the way is a big help when you are doing this, because it is a very long day. When I finish I crave food and eat badly!”

His mum, Denise, who was among his supporters who had travelled over with him said: “It is a relief when he crosses the finish line, I know his is safe.”

Boltonian Jason Clarke, who now lives in Yorkshire, was taking part in his fourth Ironman.

The 47-year-old laughed “I must be going through a mid-life crisis.”

He added: “It is a real sense of achievement. The training for Ironman can take over if you let it and it did take over.”

Mel Glover, aged 47, from Warwickshire, is also no stranger to the gruelling triathlon.

She said: “This is my fourth. I did one in Wales and Wales is hillier and the weather is unpredictable.”

Dad Martin Jones, aged 44, was taking part in his first full Ironman — supported by his three sons.

Martin, from Chester, said: “It is also my first time in Bolton and it’s awesome.

“I do it because it is a challenge. The family have been supporting me.”

Son Nick, aged seven, added: “My dad has worked really hard and we have been supporting him.”

Although Kevin Nunn, aged 55, is no stranger to taking part in Ironman triathlon but this was one was set to be the most emotional.

He said: “I am originally from Yorkshire but now live in Canada and it is phenomenal I am doing an Ironman in the UK, I think it will be emotional crossing the finishing line.”

The first man out of the water was Balazs Csoke form Hungary.