Coal race champions lead the way again

The small Yorkshire village of Gawthorpe, near Wakefield, was again thrust into the spotlight as hardy competitors took part in the Easter Monday tradition, carrying a sack of coal on a course almost a mile long.

Last year's winners Catherine Foley, from Batley, and Chris Birkin, of Chickenley, Dewsbury, again took the men's and women's titles.

Ms Foley smashed the women's course record, setting a new time of four minutes and 39 seconds, while the men's winner finished in a time of four minutes and 29 seconds.

Race organiser Samantha Wood "The weather was not on our side but we had a great turnout."

The Easter Monday tradition dates back to 1963 when an argument broke out between two men in the village's historic Beehive Inn over who was the fitter.

Coal merchant Reggie Sedgewick challenged Lewis Hartley to a race and from there the annual championships were born.

The race begins at the Royal Oak public house in Gawthorpe, and finishes at the Maypole on the village green. Men carry a 50kg sack on their backs and women a 10kg sack.