Wheelbarrow race: fancy dress teams dash to Herefordshire pubs

THE Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, a dinosaur, traffic cones and four Boris Johnson lookalikes have been among the entrants that dashed from pub to pub in wheelbarrows in Herefordshire.

Kington Festival's annual wheelbarrow race delighted and entertained spectators, with hundreds lining the streets of the town to watch on.

Organisers said 22 entries took part in the popular event, with the sun shining on the north Herefordshire town.

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Competitors raced along a route only stopping to drink a quick half pint at The Oak, The Swan, The Oxford Arms, Kington Golf Club (by Gravel Hill), The Tavern, Kington Football Club (by Kington Court), The Lion Cafe, The Wine Vaults and The Burton Hotel.

The fancy dress teams included Jurassic Park, Keir Starmer, Boris Johnson, the Queen and a load of traffic cones, with festival chairman Emma Hancocks saying they were brilliant and added to the atmosphere.

One team dressed as Labour's Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Boris Johnson

There was another dressed as a load of traffic cones and lollipop lady

Each team had to drink half a pint at a number of the Kington's pubs

The teams had to race between each of the pubs

The streets were lined with people watching the wheelbarrow race

Another fancy dress team were dressed as an F1 team, complete with a car and performing pitstops

There were also two aliens taking part

There was another appearance from a Boris Johnson lookalike, accompanied by the Queen and a Corgi

She said: “It was so lovely to see the streets lined with spectators watching the race and soaking up the atmosphere.

"John Hussey was fantastic on the microphone and really did get everyone laughing.

"Well done to all of those that took part, a great number of entries for the men's fastest time and massive congratulations to Ed Bullock and Sam Mayglothing for winning in a very fast time."

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"A massive thank you to M&S Pizza and the fire brigade," she added.

"Fancy dress entrants were brilliant and the overall entertainment each group provided added to the atmosphere.

"Well done to all those that won and a big thank you everyone who entered and supported us.

"This event is so special to our town and to see it back with such a bang was exactly what we had hoped for."