The Rossendale Harriers’ annual Boxing Day fell race is back with a bang this year and around 150 runners are expected to take part.
The Whinberry Naze festivities see runners dress-up in colourful and original costumes to take on a tough four-mile course and help burn off the turkey and Christmas pudding.
To celebrate its return, here is a round-up of some of the best costumes seen from participants over the years.
We also have all the information you need to take place in this year’s event.
Participants will be gathering at Marl Pits Sports Centre, on Newchurch Road in Rawtenstall, on December 26.
The event is set to start at around 11.30am and registration begins at 9am.
Participants can pay for entry on the day and the admission fee is £4.
Steve Duxbury, one of the organisers, is expecting around 150 people this year.
He said: “I'm expecting around 150 participants on Boxing Day in some very creative fancy dress outfits. The race is open to anyone over 14-years-old and is 6.4 kilometres in length and with 229 metres of ascent so it's a real challenge for the front runners.”
Rossendale Harriers runner, Joe Hopley, has won the event for the last two years and is hoping for a hat-trick this year.
10 fantastic costumes from Whinberry Naze fell races in recent years
1. Andrew Corbishley, from Water, dressed as Darcy Bussell in the 2018 race.
2. Ken and Barbie, still boxed took second prize in the costume contest, in 2021.
3. Runners dress up as Father Christmas and a Pfizer injection - a topical costume in 2021.
4. Haslingden's Alan Lundberg-Bury, as Tom Cruise, with Sissel and Emma Smith, of the Rossendale Harriers.
5. Mervyn Keys, Claire Jacobs, Gill Simpson and Lorna Holt dressed as The Wombles, fictional characters created by Elisabeth Beresford. Picture taken at the the 2019 Whinberry Naze race
6. Louise Preston and Rachel Gilmore dressed as the Queen and Paddington Bear.
7. A storm trooper at the race in 2021.
8. Hena Chaudry dressed as Frida Kahlo in 2022.
9. First responder Dawn Taylor in a Christmas Tree outfit, at the 2022 race.
10. Neil and Graham as Peel Tower, a monument in Bury, in the 2022 race.
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