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World Coal Carrying Championships Draws 240 Competitors in Ideal Weather

4/6/2026

33 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The World Coal Carrying Championships in Gawthorpe, West Yorkshire, drew 240 participants who carried coal sacks over 3,320 feet.
Men carried 50kg sacks and women carried 20kg bags.
Craig Heppenstall, the defending over-40s champion, nearly broke the world record.
Race organizer Duncan Smith noted excellent weather this year, contrasting with past rainy events.

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Story summary

The World Coal Carrying Championships in Gawthorpe, West Yorkshire, drew 240 participants who carried coal sacks over 3,320 feet.
Men carried 50kg sacks and women carried 20kg bags.
Craig Heppenstall, the defending over-40s champion, nearly broke the world record.
Race organizer Duncan Smith noted excellent weather this year, contrasting with past rainy events.