Entertainment & Arts

Durham farmer runs off with coal carrying crown

• Bookmarks: 25


A Durham farmer has beaten dozens of rivals to the title of World Coal Carrying Champion after charging through a northern England town with a 50kg (110 pounds) sack on his back.

LONDON A Durham farmer has beaten dozens of rivals to the title of World Coal Carrying Champion after charging through a northern England town with a 50kg (110 pounds) sack on his back.

Andrew Corrigan collapsed on a bed of hay after completing Monday’s 1.1-km (1,200-yard) race in a time of four minutes, 31 seconds, receiving warm applause from the crowd who lined the course in Gawthorpe, near Wakefield.

The quirky race started in the old mining town in 1963 when a man entered a pub and accused another of looking a bit unfit, leading to a race involving a sack of coal.

The women’s race, in which competitors each carried 20kg (44 pounds), was won by Jen Mustan in four minutes, 30 seconds.

(Writing by Patrick Johnston, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

25 recommended
comments icon0 comments
0 notes
249 views
bookmark icon

Write a comment...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *