The Olney Pancake race
The annual Onley Pancake Race takes place on Shrove Tuesday, also referred to as Pancake Day or Fats Tuesday. That’s the day earlier than Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a Christian interval of fasting and reflection main as much as Easter. Making and consuming pancakes is a approach to make use of up wealthy meals like eggs and fat earlier than the Lenten quick begins.
Custom declares that the race was first run within the yr 1445, pancakes on the time being a well-liked dish, receiving royal favor. It’s unknown the place the unique begin line was, however the end line was on the Church door. The race continued by way of the centuries and, since 1948, has been held yearly,
The pancake race isn’t open to anybody—it’s ladies solely, with the stipulation that entrants have to be residents of Olney, residing in Olney for no less than three months previous to the race, or have a everlasting house right here or work in Olney. That’s fairly proper, too. We wouldn’t need any riff-raff from Milton Keynes or any neighboring cities corrupting it. Earlier than the principle occasion, elementary college kids run a shorter course.
The course is 415 yards lengthy by way of the city market. Runners should put on a skirt and carry a frying pan with a pancake in it. Historically, the pancake is tossed on the beginning line. The creator was privileged to begin a few of the minor races with the time-honored phrases: “toss your pancake, prepared, get set, go”. The starter additionally rings an unlimited bell as he says go.
The winner of the Olney Pancake Race 2025 was Eloise Kramer, with a time of 1.07.06. The 2025 race noticed 25 particular person runners and eight three-legged groups participating. Eloise Kramer was sadly simply the European winner. Since 1950 the race has been twinned with a pancake race within the city of Liberal in Kansas, USA, the place that they had, after seeing the press pictures of the race at Olney, conceived the thought of establishing the same customized. In a spirit of worldwide goodwill and friendship, the 2 cities now compete yearly and prizes are exchanged. The race is run on a timed foundation. The 2025 Liberal race was received by Pamela Bolivar in a time of 1.03.52.
RunBlogRun affords congratulations to Pamela however has issues as as to if the wind circumstances in Liberal or the undulations of the course in Liberal didn’t give any benefit to the American runner. And are we certain that the Liberal frying pan was not lighter than these utilized in Onley?
Instantly after the race, all of the runners joined guests in a Shriving Service which was held within the Church of St Peter and St Paul, bringing everybody collectively in a second of communal reflection and celebration. Eloise was introduced along with her winner’s trophy by the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Countess Howe. This particular service all the time included a few of the well-known Olney Hymns, penned by Rev John Newton and William Cowper corresponding to Wonderful Grace, written by John Newton when he was the priest accountable for the church and first heard on 1st January 1773. Your correspondent was the speaker on the service, being launched as “a sports activities author and sports activities chaplain who has labored at 5 Olympics, 4 Soccer World Cups however no Pancake Races!”
RunBlogRun understands that the IOC and World Athletics are contemplating whether or not a 415 yard pancake race must be included within the LA Olympics.
