Fun for racers in Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race

Jan 2 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

A CENTURIES-OLD tradition took place in a Northumberland town yesterday.

The annual Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race involves teams of two racing around a circuit of just under a mile with one person always inside the wheelbarrow.

The event traditionally starts at midday outside the town’s Blackbird Inn, and over the years has raised thousands of pounds for local organisations.

This year’s main race was won by Andy Pybus and Alan Redman, who stormed across the finish line in a time of 7mins, 20secs.

Their win marked a hat-trick for the Ponteland pair who participate in the race every year.

Alan, 38, said: “We’re going to celebrate as this is the third year we’ve won the race. I have a job interview on Tuesday and I’ll certainly be mentioning this.

“We really enjoy taking part and will definitely be here again next year to defend our title.”

In the children’s race Daniel Brown and Connor Hayley were victorious, closely followed by Mark and Andrew Richardson and Jack and Sam Long.

Andy Lawson, from Ponteland RFC, who helped to organise the event, said: “This year’s race has had a fantastic response from the community.

“The event has been going for years and is still incredibly popular with everyone who is involved.”

The tradition of the race is thought to have its roots in the 14th Century when, during a particularly severe winter, the Lord of the Manor encouraged local residents to go out and forage in the surrounding countryside to gather what they could to help them survive.