Search
shop

Olympic legend Alistair Brownlee dons Trump costume and downs pints in fundraising Oxenhope Straw Race

Carrying a bale of straw between six pubs and drinking pints en route - all in a day's work for the now-retired triathlon trailblazer!
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee was the star attraction at the 50th anniversary edition of the Oxenhope Straw Race on Sunday.

Brownlee is the only triathlete – male or female – to successfully defend an Olympic title, winning at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

He retired from the sport at the end of last year and has thrown himself into a number of sporting challenges since then, including the famous Three Peaks Fell race in April where he finished on the podium.

Advertisement

Charity fundraiser

Cross country and fell races were a key part of his early sporting journey but the Oxenhope Straw Race, near Haworth in Yorkshire, is one of the more maverick ones out there.

Organisers say it all began over a pint one evening back in the mid 1970’s when two local farmers made a bet about racing between pubs having a pint at each. As the night continued the bet grew – and now they would also be carrying a bale of straw between the pubs.

The event has now raised over £500,000 with funds donated to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, Haworth Riding for the Disabled and other local worthy causes.

Teams of two are timed running the race in fancy dress, carrying a bale of straw (15-20 kgs), visiting six pubs and drinking a pint at each (except the last one). The route is approximately 2.5 miles or 4km.

Donald Trump costumes

And Brownlee fully got into the spirit as he ran with friend Nathan Edmondson, the winner of the first-ever Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.

They were dressed in Donald Trump outfits, with caps sporting the slogan ‘Make America Sprint Again’.

Alistair Brownlee Nathan Edmondson Oxenhope Straw Race 2025
Brownlee and Edmondson were all smiles despite the rain [Photo credit: Gavin Lamb]

They were joined by hundreds of other competitors around the hilly course – as well as plenty of spectators, with prizes awarded not just for the fastest teams but also the best fancy dress.

“What a blast,” posted Alistair on his Instagram page before adding “apart from this bit” over a video of him carrying the straw bale up a steep incline!

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
Jonny Brownlee with bike transition Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Chicago 2025: Date, start time, how to watch live and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...