The world’s oldest pancake race is held in Olney, Buckinghamshire on Shrove Tuesday, which is the day before the beginning of Christian Lent – falling on February 24 this year.

History and Tradition

No one is quite certain how the world famous Pancake Race at Olney originated. One story tells us of a harassed housewife, hearing the shriving bell, dashing off to the Church still clutching her frying pan containing a pancake. Another that the gift of pancakes may have been a form of bribe to the Ringer, or Sexton that he might ring the bell the sooner; for the ringing of the Church bell was the signal for the beginning of the day’s holiday and enjoyment, no less than to summon the people to the shriving service at which they would be shriven of their sins before the long Lenten fast.

Traditional declares that the race was first run in the year 1445, pancakes at that time being a popular dish and receiving the royal favour. It was run on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, and the whole day was given over to a festival of celebrations, pranks and pastimes, which formed a part of the last fling celebrations.

The race continued through the centuries, and while many other local customs died, and the race itself may have lapsed many times, such lapses were never so long as to be entirely forgotten by the womenfolk of Olney. It is known to have taken place during the troublesome times of the Wars of the Roses.

The Custom Revived

After a lapse during the Second World War, it was revived again in 1948 by the then Vicar of Olney, the Reverend Canon Ronald Collins. In clearing out a vestry cupboard he came across some old photographs, which had obviously been taken in the Nineteen Twenties and Thirties, of women running with frying pans. Fired with enthusiasm to revive the ancient custom, he called for volunteers, and in response thirteen runners appeared on Shrove Tuesday that year. The race immediately caught the popular imagination, and the people of Olney set out to make this simple and colourful link with their rich past a day of festivity.

Since then Olney has been invaded every Shrove Tuesday by an ever increasing number of visitors from all parts of the country, and the world at large. It is now described as Buckinghamshire’s most famous local custom, and has been featured in films, radio and television, and the national press every year since.

The Link with Liberal

In 1950 the race became an international event. A challenge was received from the town of Liberal in Kansas, U.S.A. where they had, after seeing press photographs of the race at Olney, conceived the idea of starting a similar customer. Olney readily accepted the challenge and, in a spirit of international goodwill and friendship, the two towns now compete annually and prizes are exchanges. The race is run on a timed basis and the winner declared after times are compared through a transatlantic telephone call from Liberal to Olney. Important representatives from America have been present for the race in Olney, as have Representatives from Olney been present in Liberal, and the British Consul-General in St. Louis and the Governor of Kansas attend celebrations in Liberal.

The Pancake Race Today

The race in Olney is now run from the Market Place to a point midway down Church Lane – a distance of 415 yards. Warning bells are rung from the Church steeple and the Race is started by the Churchwarden at 11.55 am, using the large bronze ‘Pancake Bell’ normally on display in the Museum. Pancakes are tossed by the competitors at the start and the winner is required to toss her pancake again at the finish. She then received the traditional kiss from the Verger. The Vicar, too, greets the winner with the ‘Kiss of peace’, namely the blessing: “The peace of the Lord be always with you”.

When the race is over, the runners, officials, townsfolk and visitors pour into the Parish Church for the great Shriving Service, when several of the famous Olney Hymns are sung. Although the Church holds many hundreds of people, it is regularly filled to capacity on this occasion. Competitors in the race place their frying pans around the font and occupy seats reserved for them in the chancel. During the service, presentation of the official prizes from Olney and Liberal takes place. Other prizes for winners and runners-up are presented at an evening party.

Rules for Competitors

Those who are qualified to take part in the Race must be women of 18 years of age or over and either have lived in the town of Olney for at least 3 months immediately prior to the event or, if living away, have their permanent home in the own.

They must wear for the race the traditional costume of the housewife, including a skirt, apron and head covering, though they need not be married women. They must, of course, carry a frying pan containing a pancake.

At the start the Starter will order competitors: “Toss your pancakes – Are you ready?” and then give the starting signal.

At the Finish the winner is required to toss her pancake before being declared the winner and being greeted with the Kiss of Peace – the words “The Peace of the Lord be always with you” spoken by the Vicar, and the traditional prize of a kiss from the Verger.

All who finish the course are expected to attend the Shriving Service during which the official Olney and Liberal prizes are presented.

Nearest Camp Site Details

If you would like to attend then the nearest campsite that is open is The Old Dairy Farm and this is about 15 miles from Olney. The site is a Caravan Club CL, has about 10 pitches all of which are hardstanding, electricity points, toilets, showers etc.

There is street parking available in Olney although you will probably be best parking away from the centre and walking in because it does get very busy especially for the pancake race.