When: 1st April 2013
Where: Gawthorpe, near Ossett, West Yorkshire.
£: Race entry fees: Men’s Veterans Race 10, Women’s Race 10, Men’s Race 15 and Children’s Fun Run 1. If you wish to take part, registration for the races begins at 10:15am at the Boot and Shoe Pub in Gawthorpe. Entry forms can be found on the event website. The races are free to watch.
What is it?
This year the 50th Gawthorpe World Coal Carrying Championships take place in West Yorkshire on 1st April.
The event consists of men’s, women’s and children’s races that take place on Easter Monday. Men carry a 50kg bag of coal and women a 20kg bag. Beginning at the Royal Oak Pub, the adult races stretch 1012 metres to the finish at the famous Maypole Green in Gawthorpe village. Children’s Fun Run races have a shorter distance of 150 metres with a lighter load to carry. The adult races start from the Royal Oak Pub, Owl Lane in Ossett.
The unusual Easter races are said to have come about after a challenge between two locals in a pub during the 1960s. The Coal Carrying Championships have been held annually ever since.
More info: www.gawthorpemaypole.org.uk