| Where: | Gawthorpe, West Yorkshire at the Royal Oak pub on Owl Lane |
| When: | Easter Monday |
| Time: | 12 noon |
This annual test of endurance sees people racing up to the village maypole whilst carring sacks of coal on their shoulders.For the men the sacks weigh 50 kg/1cwt and for the women 20kg, while the children carry sacks weighing 10kg. The course is 1km long ending at the village green and it’s a serious effort to get there – expect the race to last around 5 minutes for the leaders with exhausted competitors by the finish. The first race took place in the 1960s and it’s one of those modern traditions started by someone having a brainwave at the pub – apparently due to a disagreement as to who was the fitter between a coal merchant and a miner-as Gawthorpe is right in the coalfield area it seems an appropriate location, though the collieries have long gone.
Helpful Hints
If you have trouble finding the location on maps & SatNav try using Ossett as your placename – Gawthorpe is very near. All are welcome – it’s a friendly place and it’s easy to get a good view. If you’re feeling fit and strong, anyone can enter on the day – registration takes place before 11am. Attendance for spectators is free but entrants have to pay £10 with proceeds going to charity.
In 2025 it should take place on Monday 21st April.
Click here for the event website : http://www.gawthorpemaypole.org.uk/
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147785597701/
Hi, how do I sign up for next year’s coal race
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for your inquiry. Normally you’d follow the link on the event website at http://www.gawthorpemaypole.org.uk but I expect you’ll see that the entry form link hasn’t been updated since 2020 as the race wasn’t happening this year. I’m confident that as the 2022 date approaches there will be a new entry form on the site but if you can’t wait that long, contact the event secretary Mr Duncan Smith either by phone on 01924 260399 or by email at dunsmiff@blueyonder.co.uk and hopefully he’ll be able to help. Best of luck!
Averil
First coal race came about due to an argument between a miner and a coal merchant, the argument being, who was the strongest and the fittest, and happened in the Beehive pub ( no longer r.i.p.)
Hi- I like the story about the argument between the coal merchant and the miner so I’ll put it up on the site. Thanks- it’s always interesting to find out how these things came about!
Averil