The quirky Oldham race selling out quickly - and no-one knows why

IDYLLIC SCENE: Boats at Diggle

Organisers of a quirky race in Oldham have been taken aback by its popularity – despite describing it as “silly”.

It could be because everyone who finishes the Man V Barge run gets a chip butty and a bottle of beer.

All 200 places in the 2018 race – which took place back in January – sold out.

It’s showing no signs of easing up, either – 2019’s run, which will take place in August and has an increased capacity of 300, has almost sold out, too.

Those who take part are trying to cover 4.56 miles from Marsden to Diggle quicker than it takes a barge to do the same journey.

Tom McGuinness won this year’s race, in a time of 33 minutes 28 seconds – Jarrod Gritt came second and Stephen Hall finished third.

Entries can be made online at: http://www.teamoa.co.uk