BRAVE souls carrying 60lbs sacks raced up one of Tetbury’s steepest hills in the iconic Woolsack Races.

Organisers believe around 8,000 people turned up for the biggest day in Tetbury’s calendar with 18 male competitors, three female and three teams racing to prove their strength.

The day started with seven teams from Tetbury's own St Mary’s Primary School competing with their own ‘woolsacks’ (pillows).

After their races the children walked back down the 365 yard course, collecting £292 from the generous spectators.

The adults then stepped up to the course on Gumstool Hill, with the men lugging 60lbs woolsacks and the women 35lbs.

Fastest on the day was former winner Nathan Barraclough who won in 2012 with a time of 48.31 seconds.

Organisers are still tallying the runners’ times and totting up how much money was made. The Standard will be making regular updates.

Richard Avis and Stephen Hirst co-organised the event, which has been running for 42 years but may date from much earlier.

“I’d definitely say it was a successful day,” Richard said. “When the kids started running everyone was shouting and cheering them, the atmosphere was amazing.”

Would Richard ever think about entering?

“No chance!” He said. “It’s tiring enough organising the day!”

Richard revealed that the Woolsack Races was in danger of not happening this year as committee members retired, but that he and Stephen had managed to pull together enough people to help it go ahead.

At the bottom the hill Hels Belles Boutique hosted their second vintage fair at the Goods Shed with live music and antique sellers from across the South West.

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