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Rules of the Race

ALL COMPETITORS MUST READ AND ADHERE TO THE RULES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE WORLD COAL CARRYING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Gawthorpe Maypole Committee, organisers of the Gawthorpe World Coal Carrying Championships has ruled that:

‘NO ON COURSE ‘ASSISTANCE’ OR ‘COACHING’ IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME SHOULD
THIS HAPPEN THE RELEVANT RUNNER WILL BE DISQUALIFIED’

PLEASE NOTE: ‘THE COURSE’ IS DEFINED BY ALL THAT ROAD BETWEEN THE B6128 – OWL LANE, OSSETT, OUTSIDE THE ROYAL OAK PUBLIC HOUSE; TURNING LEFT INTO LEEDS ROAD AT THE JUNCTION FOR GAWTHORPE AND CONTINUING UP HIGH STREET TO THE MAYPOLE GREEN, HIGH STREET, GAWTHORPE – THE WIDTH OF THE COURSE IS KERB TO KERB ON EACH SIDE OF BOTH CARRIAGEWAYS – PROPERTY ENTRANCES DO NOT CONSTITUTE PART OF THE COURSE. THE COURSE EXTENDS FOR 1013.38 METRES.

The Committee recognises coaching support and assistance is a great asset during training, but once entering the Start Line of the Coal Race you are to be on your own, apart from other competitors officially entered in that race – unless this has been agreed previously with the
RACE DIRECTOR
. Other than this you are NOT allowed to get outside help or instruction, ‘COACHING SUPPORT’ and ‘ASSISTANCE’ including getting paced by someone on the course, not officially in the race, or have anyone convey advice, information, direct or indirect, to help a competitor by any means, including technical communication devices – these are all classed as ‘coaching support’ or ‘assistance’ and are not allowed as defined above

  • All competitors must visibly wear the sponsors T-Shirt provided
  • Competitors must collect their coal sack and line up promptly at the start when requested to do so by the Official Starter
  • You will start the race at the sound of the starting pistol or by other means as determined by the Official Starter
  • Anyone deemed to have made a false start will be disqualified
  • All competitors must remain on the road and not cut corners, particularly at the bottom turn into Gawthorpe village
  • Any competitor dropping their sack may pick it up again and continue, provided no assistance is given, any assistance will result in disqualification
  • To complete the course, a competitor must drop their sack on the Maypole Green (this includes ON the protective straw sacks, but not in front of them)
  • There are marshals throughout the course route who will inform the race officials of any infringements
  • The Race Officials decision will be final

IF DISQUALIFICATION OCCURS AFTER PRIZES HAVE BEEN AWARDED, ALL MONIES PAID TO THE WINNER, ALONG WITH PERPETUAL & REPLICA TROPHIES AWARDED MUST BE RETURNED TO THE ORGANISERS.

Event Kindly Sponsored by Eric F Box, Funeral Directors
Tel. Dewsbury: 01924 465 402 – Ossett: 01924 271612 E-mail: efbox@funerals.co.uk
Please note: Entrants for adult races must be 18 or over on day of event