Pan-tastic day for fun running
Twenty-three women in aprons and headscarves raced through a village, tossing pancakes in the world's oldest pancake race.
Yesterday saw the annual Olney Pancake Race, which has been taking place since 1445 in the village, close to Northamptonshire's border with Buckinghamshire.
Now an international event, it has a sister race in the US town of Liberal, Kansas.
This year's race was the 60th to be held since a lapse during World War Two and first place was taken by village resident Jane Hughes, in a time of 62 seconds.
Race rules stipulate participants must live in Olney and must wear the "housewives' uniform" of an apron, skirt and headscarf.
All carried a frying pan with a pancake.
Susan Heron, a member of the organising committee, said: "The story goes that on Shrove Tuesday the lady hears the shriving bell ringing and rushes, pancake in hand, to the church.
If she doesn't get to the church, she can't go to the party.
"This is the 60th year the race has been run and we take it desperately seriously.
This year's was a brilliant race, one of the best ones have had. It's great fun."
The road through Olney was closed while the women – three in their 70s – raced to the Church of St Peter and St Paul before the shriving service.
Money is raised for charity through the race and a queen and princesses are also picked to represent the village.
First place runner Jane Hughes, 44, a member of the Olney Runners, said: "I'm delighted. It's my third race and I have won it before.
"I think it's an amazing tradition.
The women who live here run it and it doesn't matter what age they are.
It's a wonderful tradition."
Olney resident Rena Partridge was, at the age of 79, the oldest runner to take part in this year's race.
She said: "I've done it twice before, but wanted to prove I could do it once more.
It's fun but it's hard work."
Before the big race started at 11.55am, there were children's races and last night there was a prize-giving party.
During the day, stalls sold pancakes to spectators.
Linda Dilks, of the nearby village of Filgrave, took children Ellie, three, and Callum, 18 months, to watch the race.
She said: "We live in one of the surrounding villages, which is why we came.
It's traditional and we wanted to see it. We enjoyed it."
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Weather for Northampton
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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