Katie, who also won in 2018, sprinted the 415 year course in just over one minute and six seconds today, breaking her own previous record. The race dates back more than 500 years. Each contestant must dress as an old-fashioned housewife, complete with apron and head covering, and run along the streets with her pancake in a frying pan. The winner must toss her pancake a as she crosses the finish line and then receive the traditional 'kiss of peace' from the town's verger. Followed by a Shriving service in the Parish Church, the race is believed to originate from a townswoman running down the High Street, still clutching her frying pan, because she feared she would be late for the church service. Today's race was preceded by a special children's pancake race, where local youngsters could try their hand at the same course. For years Olney women have competed against the town of Liberal in Kansas, which holds an identical version of the pancake race. So far Kansas has won on time more timings more than Olney. This year's Kansas result is still awaited.
