Britain's What's On Event Guide
The breakfast is served from 8.00am - details and tickets available through our website. There are stalls and pancakes available throughout the morning in the Market Place and the Church Hall. Local school children have their races from 10.00am ahead of the main race which takes place at 11.55am. The church Shriving Service follows immediately afterwards - everyone welcomeEntry is FREE
Spread the word
About this Event
Olney Pancake Race
The historic Olney Pancake Race takes place on Shrove Tuesday 4 March 2025. The town has played host to the race over many years; it’s reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has certainly run every year since 1948, except for 2021. It attracts female runners who live or work in the town - dressed in a skirt and head scarf and clutching their frying pan and pancake, they run the 415-yard course from the Market Place, down the High Street, to the race finish outside St Peter and St Paul’s Church.
Ahead of the race itself, there are lots of activities taking place in the Market Place, starting with a special pancake breakfast, prepared by local chef, Ben Francis from The Cherry Tree. With stalls, even more pancakes, music, a grand raffle, plus races for local nurseries and school children, there will be something for everyone.
All the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service which is held in the church immediately after the race. Some of the famous Olney Hymns, written by Rev. John Newton and the poet William Cowper, will be included in this special service.
The Race is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Francis Jackson Homes, Bonne Maman®, Kingsley Healthcare, Whitworth Bros. Ltd, and Blackstone®, together with the support of many local businesses.
If you‘d like more details, go to olneypancakerace.org, like us on Facebook @olneypancakerace, or on Instagram @theolneypancakerace
Ahead of the race itself, there are lots of activities taking place in the Market Place, starting with a special pancake breakfast, prepared by local chef, Ben Francis from The Cherry Tree. With stalls, even more pancakes, music, a grand raffle, plus races for local nurseries and school children, there will be something for everyone.
All the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service which is held in the church immediately after the race. Some of the famous Olney Hymns, written by Rev. John Newton and the poet William Cowper, will be included in this special service.
The Race is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Francis Jackson Homes, Bonne Maman®, Kingsley Healthcare, Whitworth Bros. Ltd, and Blackstone®, together with the support of many local businesses.
If you‘d like more details, go to olneypancakerace.org, like us on Facebook @olneypancakerace, or on Instagram @theolneypancakerace