AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition
AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition
Women’s race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants in the men’s veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show “Gladiators,” reacts after finishing the women’s open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Women’s race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men’s open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants in the men’s veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestants in the men’s veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
YORKSHIRE, England (AP) — Contestants in Yorkshire competed on Monday in the “World Coal Carrying Championships,” racing with heavy sacks of coal on their back. Women carried 20 kilograms (44 pounds) while men carried 50kg (110 pounds) along a 1.1-kilometer (0.68-mile) course in Ossett, Yorkshire, in a uniquely British Easter tradition.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.