The championship was dreamt up over a pint in 1963 when one man walked into his local pub and remarked to another customer that he looked a little unfit. Somewhat offended he challenged him to a race while carrying a sack of coal and the World Coal Carrying Championships was born.

Today people travel from all over the country and further afield, to race the three-quarters of a mile uphill course. Men carry a 50kg sack of coal and women a 20kg sack.

In the women’s event, (there was two races) Jennie Muster won the title with a time of 4 minutes 42 seconds. The women ran the same course as the men, but carrying a considerably lighter 20kg bag of coal.

There were three races in the men’s division – Top honours went to Durham farmer Andrew Corrigan whose time was 4 minutes and 23 seconds.

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