The official World Championship Hen Races have been held in Bonsall, Derbyshire for nearly 20 years. The history of hen racing in the area goes back well over 100 years when local villages competed against each other in the summer for fun.
Chickens are raced over a track of approx 20 metres, and they are given 4 minutes in each heat to cross the finish line. It's fast and furious, although any fighting between hens is strictly forbidden and can result in disqualification.
Anyone can enter for free !
You can even hire a chicken and join in the fun, just turn up on the day with your hen and register for the competition.
However some of our competitors spend months in training, going through rigerous exercises to ensure their hen is in tip top shape.
Rumour has it that landlord David Wragg actually takes his prize winning sprinting hen 'Flo Jo', out running across the Bonsall Moor !
In previous years we have had entries from all over the world including Norway, Belgium, France and Germany, and the event has been covered by Sky sports (yes, true !)
The Hen Races are held on the first Saturday in August annually.
The Barley Mow Inn, Bonsall, Derbyshire DE4 2AY.
Click HERE for a map.
