News Beat
Teletubbies and blind mice join Edgworth’s festive three-legged race
For it was the day of the fancy dress three legged-race in Edgworth, and those taking part went all out with their costumes.
There were Teletubbies, blind mice, four human-sized traffic cones, and Scooby-Doo and the gang and more roaming the village.
The side-splitting sights once again brought the community together to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Residents donned their best fancy dress costumes to take part in the event, which got underway at noon at The Barlow Institute.
Teams made their way around the village, stopping at pubs along the route.
This year’s race was organised by Mike Fay, who brought together residents to get involved either by dressing up to take part or volunteering to guide the more tipsy three-legged runners on their way.
Mike said: “It all started as a fundraiser for a lady who died in the village of cancer.
“A few guys decided to have a pub crawl in their memory and it just grew and grew and grew.
“We do it every year, on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year.”
A total of 58 teams took part, with the race finishing back at The Barlow after many pub stops.
There are seven pubs on the route, with everybody having a drink in each one.
“Everyone here is from Edgworth. It’s by the community and for the community,” said Mike.
Jasmine Coleman, general manager of The Barlow, said the event was a highlight for the charity-run community centre.
“As well as hosting the event for the community, it’s wonderful that the funds go to Cancer Research,” she said.
“We as a charity also benefit by hosting the annual event here.”
The after-race party featured a live band and plenty of festive fancy dress cheer.
For volunteers Alison Johnson and David Knight, it was their first year taking part in the event.
“We volunteer at The Barlow Saturday morning library once a month, and we thought why not get involved,” said Alison.
“It’s really good fun and for a great cause.”
“There are whole families who sign up, there’s a real community feel,” added David.
It is hoped the race will raise around £3,000 this year.
Those who were unable to attend can still donate to Cancer Research UK via the Edgworth Three Legged Race 2025 page at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/edgworth-three-legged-race-2025.
The race has been part of Edgworth’s social calendar since 1972.
Its future was thrown into doubt in 2006 when the event was cancelled after organisers were unable to secure a licence.
However, 15 years later, Edgworth resident Ellie Ramwell worked tirelessly to bring the festive tradition back.
Now, villagers are once again getting legless each year, raising money for an important cause while remembering a much-loved member of the community.
