Coal Race Event
The World Coal Carrying Championships.
Adult Races…
Each year men and women race the streets of Gawthorpe carrying huge sacks of Coal.
The event consists of Men’s, Women’s and Children’s races that take place on Easter Monday. Men carry 50kg of coal and women 20kg in weight.
There are two Men’s Veterans Races which takes place first, followed by two women’s races and ten three men’s main races, with the best times for wins and places being taken across the relevant race categories.
Adult races start from the Royal Oak public house, Owl Lane, Ossett and continue for a distance of 1012 metres to the finish line at the Maypole Green in Gawthorpe village.
(Please note your time will be recorded when your sack of coal hits the green).
Children’s Fun Run races start from the Darby and Joan, High Street, Gawthorpe and run a short distance of 150 meters.
Race Programme Order
Registration Boot and Shoe Pub, Gawthorpe – 10.00am
All Adults Races Start from the Royal Oak Pub, Owl Lane, Ossett
Men’s Veterans Race starts at 11.30am
Men’s Veterans Race (40 years and over) – £20 Entry Fee per person
Prizes – 1st Trophy and £150, 2nd £100, 3rd £75
Women’s Races starts at 12.30pm and second race 1:00pm
Women’s Race Entry Fee £25 per Person
Prizes 1st £750 2nd £500 3rd £250
Women’s Veteran’s Race Entry Fee £20 per Person
Prizes 1st £150 2nd £100 3rd £75
Men’s Main Races – First Race 1:30pm and Second Race 2:00pm and third race 2:30pm
Men’s Main Races (18 years and over) – Entry fee £25 per person
Prizes 1st £750 2nd £500 3rd £250 4th £125
Children’s Races…
For many years there has been a race for the children, where they can have fun and take part in the light hearted fun run.
The children’s races follow the same principal as the adults, but they run a short 100 yards from the Darby and Joan club in Gawthorpe to the Village Green. There are various age categories available making it a safe and enjoyable day.
Entry on the day only (entries open at 8:30am and close at 10:00am)
Children’s Fun Run – Race categories and times:
Boys 5-6 – Girls 5-6 –
Boys 7-8 – Girls 7-8 –
Boys 9-10 – Girls 9-10
Boys 11-12 – Girls 11-12 –
Boys 13-15 – Girls 13-15
£5 Entry Fee for Children’s Races 5 to 15 years
Goody bags and t-shirt given to every child entrant. Commemorative medals for all children who run.
Entries limited to 15 children per race – races may be split for safety reasons.
Location…
The event starts from Owl Lane, outside the Royal Oak where both men and women race with a sack of coal, approx one mile, 1108. 25 yards to be precise, to secure the best time. To qualify for completion of the race, the sack must be dropped on the Village Green where the traditional Maypole is situated in the heart of the Gawthorpe.
The current male WORLD RECORD is 4mins. 6secs held by one DAVID JONES of Meltham.
The current female RECORD HOLDER for the women’s race is Catherine Foley with a time of 4.25 secs.
History…
At the century-old Beehive Inn situated in Gawthorpe the following incident took place one day in 1963. Reggie Sedgewick and one Amos Clapham, a local coal merchant and current president of the Maypole Committee were enjoying some well-earned liquid refreshment whilst stood at the bar lost in their own thoughts. When in bursts one Lewis Hartley in a somewhat exuberant mood. On seeing the other two he said to Reggie, ” Ba gum lad tha’ looks buggered !” slapping Reggie heartily on the back. Whether because of the force of the blow or because of the words that accompanied it, Reggie was just a little put out.‘’ Ah’m as fit as thee’’ he told Lewis, ‘’an’ if tha’ dun’t believe me gerra a bagga coil on thi back an ‘ah’ll get one on mine an ‘ah’ll race thee to t’ top o’ t’ wood !’’ ( Coil, let me explain is Yorkshire speak for coal ). While Lewis digested the implications of this challenge a Mr. Fred Hirst, Secretary of the Gawthorpe Maypole Committee ( and not a man to let a good idea go to waste) raised a cautioning hand. ” ‘Owd on a minute,’’ said Fred and there was something in his voice that made them all listen. ‘Aven’t we been looking fer some’at to do on Easter Monday? If we’re gonna ‘ave a race let’s ‘ave it then. Let’s ‘ave a coil race from Barracks t’ Maypole.’’( The Barracks being the more common name given by the locals to The Royal Oak Public House )
Thus was born The World Coal Carrying Championships!