Tetbury Woolsack Races


The Tetbury Woolsack Races are held on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday. Hundreds of people line up along Gumstool Hill in the centre of Tetbury, Gloucestershire to watch the teams. Each competitor must carry a full woolsack on his / her back and race either up, down or up and down the hill.
The races take place between two public houses, the Royal Oak and the former Crown. People can take part either as individuals or as part of a team. The individuals race up the hill, the teams race up and down the hill twice.
The men race with a 60 lb woolsack, ladies have 30 lb. There are also youth races where boys ages 16–18 races with a 30 lb sack and a children's class. The weight of the children's woolsack isn't specified but it's probably about the same as a pillow.
Regular competitors include local rugby teams, the British Army and the Norfolk Mountain Rescue Team.