Pancakes On The Run: Churches Host Unique Pre-Lent Tradition
Robed clergy and choir singers flipping pancakes as they race through cathedral precincts is the eye-catching sight greeting many visitors on Shrove Tuesday.
Such races have long been a feature of U.K. life, reflecting the start of Lent, when traditionally eggs and fat could not be eaten. People sought to use up such food by making pancakes. In 1445, a baker in the town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, was busy making a batch of pancakes when the church bell started ringing, calling parishioners to be shriven of their sins.
Unfortunately, the pancake in her pan was still cooking, so undeterred, the baker ran to the church, holding her pan and flipping the pancake as she went. By the time she reached church, it was ready for eating.
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Her exploit attracted attention, and soon other people were following in her footsteps. Races were run on what became known as “Pancake Day” — taking place on Fat Tuesday — and continued across the centuries.
After a lapse during World War II, the Vicar of Olney revived it in 1948. Since then, it has been run every year. To qualify for the race, runners have to be women who have lived in the town for at least three months. They have to wear a skirt, an apron and a headscarf. After the race, all participants are asked to attend the Shriving Service within the church.
Churches and cathedrals around the U.K. have taken up this uniquely British custom. In Liverpool, the traditional Pancake Race is held in the gardens of the parish church and involves the city’s top chefs. They have to complete laps around the garden while flipping a pancake that must not fall from the pan. Anyone can register to take part in the Shrove Tuesday race at St. Peter & St. Paul’s church, Buckingham — but must wear an apron, headscarf, and come equipped with a frying pan and pancake. While at Portsea, the race is run along the church nave.
Often, these races are now run as a way of raising money for charity. Many races involve sponsorships and group participation from local businesses, schools and organizations. Others focus on the opportunity for individual participation, or may be confined to races among the choristers, clergy and cathedral staff. What they all hold in common is the feat of having to run a set distance, holding a pan while flipping pancakes and trying not to drop them.
In Winchester, the Rotarians organize pancake races around the cathedral precincts. Anyone can register a team to take part.
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Organizer Clive Cook said, “We get people of all ages involved, both children and adults. We have had clergy teams, chorister teams, schools, charities and local businesses. Even the mayor has organized a team.”
The race is run on a 164-foot course within the cathedral precincts. It is run as a relay, with runners having to flip pancakes at the start, in the middle and the end before the next person takes over. We get hundreds of people coming to watch and usually raise about $3,000-$3,500 for local charities.”
Over in St. Albans, Pancake Races are organized by a local children’s charity, Home-Start Hertfordshire. Taking part in the races are clergy from St. Albans Cathedral who will be running a route along the High Street near the Cathedral. The races are incredibly popular, raising nearly $10,000 each year.
Bradford, Salisbury, Wells, Norwich and Worcester are among the many other cathedrals that hold pancake races. Locations vary considerably, and the routes often provide their own unique challenges.
In Norwich, the races are held within the historic cloisters, complete with uneven flagstones. At Wells, the choristers and clergy race along the cobbled surface of Vicars Close. Such surfaces can be hazardous for the unwary who attempt to flip their pancakes as often as possible.
The races are always eagerly anticipated. Master of Music Ashley Grote at Norwich Cathedral said members of the choir “always look forward to the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake races. It’s a fun opportunity for them to let off steam and enjoy pancake eating as well as racing before we embark on the season of Lent.”
At Canterbury Cathedral, visitors are invited to face off in races against the clergy, choristers and staff along the paved cathedral precincts. After participating in a race two years ago, the Very Reverend Dr. David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, recalled ruefully, “My advice is: Don’t go running in a cassock!”
While at Worcester Cathedral, the participation of Dean Emeritus Peter Atkinson went viral after a pancake race. Cathedral staff had strapped a GoPro to his collar and captured intriguing out-of-breath sound effects throughout his final lap, which they then posted on social media along with images from the race.
Wherever they are held, the pancake races can become very competitive. This is particularly true at Worcester Cathedral, where the race is given a special twist. It takes the form of a relay race around the cloisters, with obstacles to jump over and items to pick up.
Naturally, the pancakes have to be flipped, no matter what the obstacle in the way or the task that has to be performed. It is made even more competitive by involving competing teams made up of the two sides of the Cathedral choir. Cathedral staff and school children watch and cheer on the teams.
The timing of Shrove Tuesday can provide a problem, as the exact date varies each year depending on when Easter. This year, some cathedrals like Worcester are holding it early so as to ensure the choristers can enjoy the fun as the exact date falls during their school half-term holidays.
There is little doubt as to the sheer popularity of these races among participants and watchers.
Liz Le Coze, Business Development Manager at Home-Start Hertfordshire, responsible for the St Albans Pancake event, said, “The pancake race is going from strength to strength. It is such a fantastic event which brings the community together.”
Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist who has written for a wide range of British and international publications.