What connects bales of straw, fancy dress teams, pints of beer and the Yorkshire village of Oxenhope? One of the summer’s quirkiest races, of course!
The 43rd Oxenhope Straw Race will take place on Sunday, around the West Yorkshire village, with participants competing in fancy dress and carrying a bale of straw.
The course takes in the village pubs (with a drink consumed in each), starting at the Wagon and Horses and finishing at the Dog and Gun. Teams can take any time, from a speedy 14 minutes to over three hours, to complete the course.
The race, which originally began with a bet between two men about racing from one pub to the next carrying a bale of straw, takes place every summer in the Pennine village.
So far, the event has raised more than £300,000 for charities, with teams collecting sponsorship for completing the course. Other fundraising events take place throughout the year to add to the money raised.
The event provides a fun day out for spectators and promises a proper carnival atmosphere.
When: 7th July 2019
Where: Oxenhope, West Yorkshire
£: Free to watch
More info: oxenhopestrawrace.com