Kelty preparing for Scottish Coal Carrying Championships

The popular event will have a range of activities - including a 'wife carrying' contest - to get involved with and marks 25 years since it was re-started.

As well as adult’s men’s and women’s races, there are junior runs for children and young people, as well as a soap box derby, a street market, a funfair, a flower show, and an art workshop called ‘The Art of Coal’.

Returning to the event will also be the ‘wife carrying championships’. This is described by organiser Michael Boyle as “a tongue and cheek event”.

He said it involves one adult carrying another across the finish line, but added: "You do not need to be carrying your wife! It can be a friend or a partner!"

Around 140 people have signed up to carry 50kg sacks of coal - 25kg for women - along the village's Main Street for 1km. 

The road will be closed from 11.45am and the parade starts at noon.

A range of entertainers will be involved, including the City of Dunfermline Concert Band, Burntisland Pipe Band, dancers, community groups and many more!

Some World War Two vehicles will also be making an appearance at this year's parade.

There will also be a street market on the grounds of Kelty Community Centre, as well as a funfair rides and stalls. 

The coal races start at 12.45pm. 

Michael added: “That gives cottage industries and small businesses the chance to have a pitch, a stall, or gazebo at the street market and make themselves a couple of quid.”

The 'wife carrying' race will be making a return this year. (Image: David Wardle)

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The pitches are free of charge and Michael added that this has been “really popular" with local groups.

“This year I think we have 22 stalls, and it creates economic impact in the village for them as well,” he said.

People are coming from all over Scotland and the UK to take part in the coal carrying championships, with confirmed competitors coming from Aberdeen as well as traditional mining communities in Wakefield, Leeds, Ossett and Ayrshire.

The event has several sponsors including National Pride, Colin Sneddon Funeral Directors, Bayne's, Saxen and the Connor Law Trust, and has also received a lot of support from Fife Council as well as many others.

A range of entertainers are also coming along to perform. (Image: David Wardle)

The championships underwent a big rebranding a few years ago, and their motto now is ‘It’s more than just a coal race’.

Michael said that the championships are: “a time to reunite with old neighbours and friends.

“It’s the only true link now between the mining industry and the present day,” he added.