The historic Cotswold town of Tetbury is gearing up for its renowned annual event—the Tetbury Woolsack Races—set to take place on May 26th, this year’s Bank Holiday Monday. With roots stretching back to the 17th century, this unique tradition continues to draw crowds from across the world, promising excitement, fun, and a lively festival atmosphere.
The races begin at 10 a.m. and run through to approximately 5 p.m., transforming the town into a vibrant celebration filled with food stalls, live music, children’s entertainment, and, of course, the thrilling races themselves. Participants face the daunting challenge of running uphill while carrying heavy woolsacks—the men carry 60-pound sacks and the women 35-pound ones—up a steep hill measuring about 240 metres with a challenging one-in-four gradient.
Danny Toft, a 49-year-old committee member from Tetbury, explains, “The Tetbury Woolsack Races is such a special and historical event. If we didn’t keep it going, this tradition would be lost. The day really feels like a festival with great food from vendors like The Beefy Boys, live music, and fun activities for the kids.”
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The festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. with races featuring local primary school children, before progressing to the men’s and women’s races. The relay races are particularly entertaining as competitors balance speed and stamina while running back down the hill.
The event in its current form has been celebrated since the early 1970s, officially starting in 1972. It even holds spots in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to some world-record performances. This year, the event organizers unveiled brand-new woolsacks, custom-made by the British Wool Federation in honor of their 75th anniversary, replacing the old and worn sacks.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to several local charities, including Cirencester Hospital, Tetbury Town Council’s meal programs for vulnerable residents, and the Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust (TAYCT), reflecting the race’s strong community focus.
Reflecting on the event’s origins, the Tetbury Woolsack Races website shares a traditional tale: “Back in the 17th century when Tetbury thrived on the wool trade, passing drovers found a charming way to impress local women. After a few drinks at the Royal Oak pub at the bottom of Gumstool Hill, they would race up the hill carrying a sheep or wool sacks to the Crown pub at the top for another refreshment.”
With hopes high for good weather and a great turnout, the community awaits another memorable day filled with history, fun, and fierce competition.