There are quite a few children in these pictures, and it’s strange to think that many of them now are old enough to be working or going to university. One of the photos features my nephew, who is now taller than me and at University! Even the baby watching the juggler must be half way through middle school by now.

There’s more than just the main race to see. In mid morning there are children’s races for pupils from the infant and middle schools, and street performers in the Market Place. There’s a Scots piper walking through, and a fairground organ.

There are market stalls and refreshments. Walk down to the Church Hall and you can have a freshly made pancake. This all goes on until lunchtime, but the main race is at 11:55.

Entrants have to be female, over eighteen, and live in Olney. The main road is closed for the race, and around 11:45 they line up across it. Every year there’s a deliberate false start so the press can get a head on shot of the contestants running towards them with their frying pans.

The runners then reform at the start line, and there’s a short pause to give the photographers time to walk the 415 yards to the finish tape, set up again and be ready for a shot of the winner.

Here’s a link to my post on last year’s pancake race.