Ancient pancake race: Why and how did it start?

Folklore says the tradition started after a housewife was running to church with a frying pan still in her hand

Are you a flipper or a tosser? While you only need a handful of ingredients to make a pancake, there are only three things people taking part in a 415-yard race through a market town need at the start line. A skirt, a frying pan and most importantly a pancake. The Olney Pancake Race in Buckinghamshire dates back more than five centuries, but why did it start and who can take part?

The run itself dates back to 1445 and while no-one knows how it started, it has taken place every year since it was revived in 1948.

One story suggests a housewife dashed to church after hearing the Shriving Bell while still clutching her frying pan and pancake.

Another suggests the gift of pancakes was a bribe to make the Shriving Bell ring sooner and signal the beginning of the day's holiday.

The Shriving Bell was rung on Shrove Tuesday in a bid to call people to church to confess.

The Reverend Canon Ronald Collins decided to revive the tradition and it has taken place ever since

In 1948, the vicar of Olney, the Reverend Canon Ronald Collins, decided to revive the tradition after he found old photographs of women running with frying pans, while clearing out a cupboard.

He called for volunteers to take part and 13 showed up on the day.

Keeping the tradition alive, while the country was in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2021, a solitary pan-bearer took part so the consecutive annual run would not be broken.

Ruth Martin, one of the current organisers, says there are not many details of why the race started or the history behind it.

"I kind of love the [story of the] housewife running down the street. It's my favourite one and it sums up what we are doing... the madness of all these women running down the main road," she said.

"It's got to link back to something quite quirky."

Who is allowed to enter?

The race is "ladies only" and is open to those aged 18 and over.

Rules state women need to have lived in Olney for at least three months or work there.

If you have won it three times you cannot enter again.

In last year's race, organisers said there was a "record-breaking" field of 44 runners and this year they expected 42 participants.

People taking part must come prepared with a skirt, frying pan and their own pancake and will be given a headscarf and apron before the race begins.

What happens?

Ruth Martin said people lined the street showing support

Once runners are lined up, they must toss their pancake at two points during the race, at the start and finish.

Importantly, real pancakes are used during the race and Ms Martin said they were most certainly not glued to the pan.

"You can bring whatever pancake you like. You can make it yourself or you can buy it. It's entirely up to you," she said.

She said organisers did not take it "that far" and make sure everyone's pancake were the same.

"We give you the pan, so the pan is consistent."

The course, which is 415 yards (380m), starts as soon as the Shriving Bell is rung at St Peter and St Paul's.

Runners start from the pedestrian crossing by the market and make their way to the church door.

Ms Martin, who has lived in Olney for more than four years, said the streets are lined with spectators three to four deep.

She said: "It's just something that's quintessentially Olney... I wanted to be part of the community when we moved here... everybody gets behind it and really loves it and some people take it really seriously.

"It's our thing and it just feels really special. When you look at the pictures... it's so fantastic to be carrying it through generations."

The event is sponsored and any money raised goes to support the church which turns 700 years old this year.

Does the race only happen in Olney?

Last year's winner completed the 415-yard course in 63 seconds

Inspired by Olney, the race caught the attention of people in the US and since 1950 the city of Liberal in Kansas has hosted its race.

They have been in a transatlantic competition since Liberal officials challenged the women of Olney to compete with their residents.

One major difference in Liberal is that a men's pacer race was introduced.

Each year, both places record their times and link up via a video call to present prizes.

Liberal runners have so far won 40 races, with Olney winning 32 races.

During this time, on three occasions there have been no results, including in 1980 when the score did not count after a media van blocked the Olney finish line.

Winning

After the race, competitors gather for the Shriving Service at Olney's parish church.

After the race made a comeback in 1948, Nellie Bosworth was the first winner, and since then, several women have won the race three times.

Ms Martin said last year's Olney winner was able to complete the course in 63 seconds.

During the 40-minute church service, the winner's presentation takes place, with the first place runner receiving a prize of £100.