The annual event in Gawthorpe, Wakefield, attracts attention from across the globe, and sees those taking part having to lug huge sacks of the black stuff along a gruelling course.
The race starts at the Royal Oak pub with the finish line around 1km away at the village maypole.
Sadly, a man had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance after collapsing on the morning of the races. There has been no update on his condition at this time.
However, the races continued with the children’s fun run, three women’s races and three men’s races.
The Easter event began life in 1963 following a disagreement in a pub about who could run a race while carrying bags of coal on their shoulders.
Thus, the event was born and now attracts competitors from across the globe.
1. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Fern Gardener, from Liversedge, who went on to win the first of the women's races leads from the front | Gerard Binks
2. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Competitors in the women's open race in the World Coal Carrying championships, which is held every Easter Monday at Gawthorpe. | Guzelian
3. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Retired handyman David Page, 78, approaches the finishing line at the World Coal Carrying championships. | Guzelian
4. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Retired handyman David Page, 78, bites his medal after finishing in the World Coal Carrying championships. | Guzelian
5. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Competitors in the women's veterans' race. | Guzelian
6. 63rd World Coal Carrying Championship
Competitors at the start of the women's open race. | Guzelian