WATCH: World Coal Carrying Championship takes place in Yorkshire

Thousands of people have gathered today to watch the World Coal Carrying Championships in Gawthorpe.
The World Coal Carrying Championships (Photo: SWNS)The World Coal Carrying Championships (Photo: SWNS)
The World Coal Carrying Championships (Photo: SWNS)

The Easter event was run for the 54th time, with men carrying 50kg sacks and women carrying 20kg of coal up the traditional 1,012m course from the Royal Oak pub to the maypole on the village green.

One contestant, 19-year-old Gabrielle Oldroyd, had a kidney transplant nine years ago and said that running with the up a one-kilometre hill is the craziest thing she has ever done.

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Ms Oldroyd said: "I'm shattered. It's huge. To say I had a kidney transplant in 2008, to come and do this is probably the craziest thing I've ever done.

World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)
World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)

"But I'm so glad I've done it.

"To anyone out there with any health issues or anything, it just proves it can be done if you put your mind to it and I've proved that today."

She added: "I was determined to finish it and have a go. Today I just knew that I was going to give all I've got and that's what I've done."

The event is organised by the Gawthorpe Maypole committee group and sponsored by Eric F Box Funeral Directors.

World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)
World Coal Carrying Championship (Photo: SWNS)
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It is said to gave started after an argument in the Beehive Inn between coal merchant Reggie Sedgewick and Maypole Committee president Amos Clapham over who was fittest.

The current male world record is 4 minutes and 6 seconds, held by David Jones of Meltham. The current female record holder for the women's race is Catherine Fenton with a time of 4 minutes 25 seconds.

Check back soon for results.

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