English Woman Wins Annual International Pancake Day Race

As promised, here are the results of the Pancake Race between Olney, Bucks and Liberal, KS.

From KSN News

LIBERAL, Kan. (KSNW) – An Englishwoman barely squeaked out a victory over a competitor across the pond in Kansas in Tuesday’s annual pancake race between their British and American hometowns.

Katie Godor, from Olney, in Buckinghamshire, ran the 71st International Pancake Day race with a time of 1:06 seconds. That just beat the time of Whitney Hay, a student at Seward County Community College, who won the Liberal, Kansas, leg of the race in 1.09 seconds.

“I love where I live and this tradition has been going on for 71 years in Liberal and it’s a great feeling to finally be able to run in the international race let alone win it,” said winner Whitney Hays.

Women in the event must run a 415-yard race while carrying a pancake in a frying pan and flipping it at the beginning and end.

The race began in Olney in the 15th century. Liberal challenged Olney to an international competition in 1950.

“If I tell someone I’m from Liberal Kansas they say that’s the place that does the pancake race and I get excited,” said Pancake Day Chairman Mike Brack.

The event expanded this year in Liberal to a four-day event, that includes pancake eating and flipping contests, a parade and a carnival. Other events include a 5K fun run, races for all ages, and a shriving service, which is the religious component of the holiday, according to race organizers.

For more on the race, click here.