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Soots you John Hunter powers to victory in Scottish Coal Carrying Championship in Kelty

Gareth Jennings,Sunday Post....Kelty Coal Race, winners of the male and female event are Hazel Porter from Dunfermline,whos has won 7 in a row and John Hunter from Scarborough who drove 5 hours to Kelty then ran and won the race.
Gareth Jennings,Sunday Post....Kelty Coal Race, winners of the male and female event are Hazel Porter from Dunfermline,whos has won 7 in a row and John Hunter from Scarborough who drove 5 hours to Kelty then ran and won the race.

Thousands lined the streets as a world champion left a series of rivals choking on his dust at an iconic sporting event in Fife at the weekend.

The former mining town of Kelty was brought to a standstill on Saturday as John Hunter, from Scarborough, took the prestigious title of Scottish Coal Carrying Champion.

The 47-year-old veteran drove five hours non-stop to take part in the race, but insisted it was “all worth it.”

Last year saw a photo finish and a dramatic tumble to the line, but this year saw a clear win by John.

He has scooped the coal carrying world title no fewer than eight times, and his dramatic Scottish success adds to a long list of accolades which have seen him dubbed “King Coal.”

Competitors from as far afield as Italy, Switzerland and Mexico took part in the dash, which involves carrying a 50kg sack of coal along a gruelling, hilly course.

The ladies’ title was taken by Hazel Porter from Dunfermline. She missed last year’s event due to pregnancy but was delighted to secure an impressive seventh Scottish title.

For the first time, the championships also included a children’s category.

Organiser Michael Boyle described the day’s events which acted as a curtain-raiser to Kelty’s annual gala as “absolutely fabulous.”

“We had the biggest attendance ever and it was just superb,” he told The Courier. “The atmosphere was great and it was wonderful to get kids involved in the racing for the first time.

“It was a real community day.”

Reflecting on the international field involved, Mr Boyle said it was tremendous to see the event capturing the imagination.

“Several of the participants had travelled considerable distances to take part,” he continued. “It just shows how popular the event is.”

A diverse field took part in the race cheered on by thousands of well-wishers.

“Included in the women’s race were two members of clergy,” Mr Boyle revealed. “There were also competitors from Zimbabwe and Utah.

“Meanwhile, in the male race there was a guy from Geneva who is actually a Scot but now lives out there. We also had an Italian and even a Mexican.”

Competitors had trained for months ahead of the big race, with strong legs and lungs among the obvious attributes required for success.

However, a steely determination is also necessary and only those with significant “mental toughness” can expect to triumph.