3 months ago
25
The annual World Coal Carrying Championships in the village of Gawthorpe, near Ossett, saw 240 entrants haul sacks of coal across a distance of 3,320ft (about 1,000m). Men carried 7st 12lb (50kg) sacks of coal, with women racers shifting 3st 2lb (20kg) bags, from the Royal Oak pub to the village's Maypole Green.
Heppenstall, who missed out by just one second on equalling the world record time of four minutes and 57 seconds for his category, said encouragement from spectators was crucial to making it to the finish line.
"It just keeps you propelling. They shout 'Come on, keep that momentum. You're nearly there', and it makes you want to see that finish line... The crowds cheer and shout your name, it's fantastic."
