What an amazing start for the 2026 historic Olney Pancake Race

George said “Over the last 25 years we have made so many friends and supported many local events and to be asked to help with the Pancake Race was truly an honour. I have watched and supported for many years, as well as cheered on friends taking part, and I love the buzz it brings to the town; I want to help the Race continue.”

The company joins our other main sponsors for 2026, Bonne Maman®, Kingsley Healthcare, Blackstone®, Whitworth Bros. Ltd and the Cherry Tree Pub & Restaurant; we are very grateful to all of them for their support, making this famous event possible.

The Race is taking place on Shrove Tuesday 17 February 2026 and follows a great tradition; the race is reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has certainly run every year since 1948, except for 2021.

Entries for the race will open in early December and it’s open to women over 18 who work or live in Olney – look out for full details on social media and the race website, olneypancakerace.org

On the day, the focus will be in the Market Place, with a special pancake breakfast, prepared by Ben Francis, Head Chef of the Cherry Tree. This will be followed by a cookery demonstration and, as the race takes place in school half-term, we’ve got lots of extra activities planned.

The children’s races will take place at 10.00 and the main race at 11.55am. All the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service which is held in the church immediately after the race.

More details are on the race website olneypancakerace.org.

You can also like us on Facebook @olneypancakerace, or on Instagram @theolneypancakerace