The traditional charity race will be held at Market Place on Shrove Tuesday, March 4 after a pandemic break.
John Houston organizes the race now. His club took over 16 years ago. He thinks it’s one of the oldest races around. They can trace it back 50 years!
He has no clue how it all started. Anyone can race, even you! Just bring a frying pan to Market Place. They give you a pancake to use. Dressing up is encouraged too.
The race is a short loop around Market Place. You must flip the pancake at the start. They had a break during the pandemic. The race is usually every year.
Kids and adults both participate now. Children as young as five race. They all get a prize for racing. Grown-ups race for a golden frying pan.
It gets pretty competitive, apparently! People really want that frying pan award. Mostly, they have fun and raise money. Adults race for five minutes total.
Racers lap the course as many times as possible. They toss their pancake each lap. The leader after five minutes wins. They get the golden pan for a year. Their name goes on a plaque.
Sponsors donate cool prizes too. They include things like wine and honey. This year’s race honors Ivy Small. She sadly passed away at 91.
Ivy raced every single year. She always wore great costumes. She raced until she was 90! They will really miss her at the race. She was a Pancake Race mainstay.