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Gawthorpe Maypole Committee, organisers of the 61st World Coal Carrying Championships would like to alert you to this year’s event, which will be held in Gawthorpe, Ossett on Easter Monday 1st April 2024.
Adult Races…Each year men and women race the streets of Gawthorpe, carrying (50kg and 20kg respectively) sacks of coal over a ¾ mile uphill course to secure the best time.
Men’s Veteran’s races take place at 11:30am and 12 noon, followed by Women’s Open and Veteran’s races at 12:30pm and 1:00pm, and three Men’s Open races 1:30pm, 2:00pm and 2:30pm, with the best time taken across each category.
Children’s Fun Runs start at 10:15am from the Darby and Joan Hall, High Street, Gawthorpe.
The event starts from Owl Lane, Ossett outside the ‘Ma B’s at the Royal Oak’, WF5 9AU, where competitors race with their sack of coal. To complete the race, the sack must be dropped on the Maypole Green.
Keep an eye on the official Facebook group for news of when the applications to take part open!