Radzi and the Woolsack Race Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter, but mini.

Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes, badges, pets,

presenters and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Tetbury Woolsack Race -

a stunning display of athletic ability run every year in

a small village in Gloucestershire.

It just so happens it involves huge sacks of wool.

When I HERD about this un-EWE-sual event, I thought, "Ba-a-ah!"

No-one's going to pull the WOOL over my eyes!

I'd better JUMPER to it! I'll stop now. I'm going to stop.

Ah, sheep gags...

The aim of the game is to run as fast as you can through the

village, up a hill, carrying 27 kilos of wool.

Un-BA-A-A-AH-lievable. Another sheep joke! Ha!

"But why?" I hear you ask.

Well... Actually, I've got no idea. Cue the history bit.

For hundreds of years, Tetbury has been known for its excellent wool.

And it's thought local men used to impress ladies

with how fast they could carry it. And who wouldn't be impressed?

In 1972, that tradition was turned into an official race.

Now I've been invited to take part.

With no training or preparation, I should probably warm up.

But it only takes five seconds of slow-mo shots for me to realise

this sack is very heavy and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

Thankfully, though, I've bumped into current women's record holder

Lucy and some of her friends.

Ladies, you are the perfect people to speak to.

How on Earth do I do this?

Erm, I think picking up the bag is the most important thing.

You've got to get a really good grip and make sure it sits right

on your shoulders.

If it's too far forward, it's going to hammer your legs.

So getting that right is pretty crucial, I think.

Yeah, and climbing up,

I think you've just got to go slow and steady.

I think...too quick out of the blocks and then by the time you hit

the actual hill, you've lost it, so just a slow, steady pace.

Pacing, yeah, definitely pacing.

Bit of a tip, to kind of bounce it off your knee

and then just try to get as much grip as you can

-because otherwise your hands are going to slip off.

-So, here, up...

-Bounce it off your knee. And then...

-Over the head, wow!

-Exactly!

-Not bad!

-Well done!

-Do you know what?

This is a game-changer because I was going to go lengthways

but you're going diagonal.

Definitely go diagonal cos then you can breathe, you can keep your

neck sort of straight, so you can actually get air in.

What could possibly go wrong, eh? See you guys out there!

As well as a women's event, there's a team and a men's competition

but before all that, it's the juniors' turn.

And these guys aren't messing around.

-Three, two, one...

-KLAXON

Off they go! I mean, check that out.

If I could get anywhere near that, I'd be very happy indeed.

Maybe THEY could give me some top tips.

-You have just run the woolsack race. How was it?

-Wet!

-Rather wet.

-Really fun but I thought I might slip when I was coming up.

It was really exciting and the support was really amazing.

I found it very fun but very exhausting at the same time.

Do you have a piece of advice for me? Anything that might help me?

Find your pace to go up the hill and when you get further up,

start getting faster and faster.

Make sure you have a good grip on the sack

and don't try and readjust it cos you could drop it then.

Kind of lean over because then you're in more of

a streamlined position, so you'll go faster.

Fives! They're awesome. Now, that's what I call advice.

But just as I'm gearing myself up for it, the heavens open!

Which will make things even trickier.

The woolsack will be heavier and both the sack and floor slippier.

-Race four is Radzi!

-HE MOUTHS

This is the last thing I need but, hey,

this is Blue Peter and I'm not letting a little bit of water

stop me. To the start line!

-ALL:

-Go, Radzi!

OK, just remember everyone's advice.

-Find your pace to go up the hill.

-Try and get as much grip as you can.

Kind of lean over.

Wise words, they were. But can I put it into practice?

-On your marks, get set, go!

-Come on, Radzi! And we're off!

This is a challenge just to stay on my feet.

But this is the hill. This is where the legs start to burn.

CHEERING AND SHOUTING

The crowd support means so much, I cannot let them down.

My legs are burning, my lungs are burning,

but I will cross the finish line.

Ah! That was hard.

In case you're wondering, that was really very, very tiring.

The all-time record is an incredible 45 seconds, but how did I do?

Radzi, Blue Peter presenter, 1:10.34.

I tried my best to beat the guy in front of me but I didn't win,

I didn't break any records, but what I did do was I had a fantastic time.

And this crowd, by the way, are awesome,

cheering you on all the way.

And who did I do it for? I did it for this thing.

The Blue Peter badge.

Now, I need a towel because my hair is very wet.

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