- ID:1149388
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02/21
Caption
One of the mens race competitiors crosses the line with 8 stone of local coal upon his back.
- ID:1149331
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06/21
Caption
The 2012 mens overall winner Matthew Wainwright is presented with his trophy. And £750 cash prize.
- ID:1149482
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09/21
Caption
Proceeds from entry money go towards to upkeep of the villages local maypole traditional festival that takes place on Mayday.
- ID:1149662
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21/21
Caption
The president of the Maypole committee Don Hitchen, previous mayor of Wakefield city.
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Each year men and women race the streets of Gawthorpe carrying huge sacks of Coal.There are individual races for women, children and the mens final. For the mens event competitors carry sacks of local coal weighing 50kg and for the women, 20kg.
The origins of the race stem from a alleged wager between Reggie Sedgewick and Amos Clapham, a local coal merchant and current president of the Maypole Committee, that took place in the Beehive Inn in 1963.
The race was born out of there challenge to one another to see who was indeed the fittest man!
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