THE sun beamed down on St Albans for the many charities, organisations and businesses that took part in Shrove Tuesday’s annual pancake race.

For the first year there were two events to choose from – a traditional pancake race in which participants could run and flip to their hearts’ content and the St Albans Flippin’ Walkers’ Race which proved to be just as popular.

Last year’s event was mired in controversy after running was banned due to health and safety concerns, and Charles Baker, the district council’s tourism and regeneration manager, said at the opening of this year’s event that the walking race had been reintroduced as a standalone competition as it had proved to be so popular.

Both races, for which large crowds had gathered to watch, were organised by the district council and sponsored by McDougalls with the pancakes donated by Sainsbury’s.

St Albans-based charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK won the walking race and was presented with a miniature frying pan donated by Andy Shoesmiths in the Maltings.

The traditional frying pan trophy for winners of the long-standing St Albans Pancake Race went to Leisure Connection’s Arts, Sport and Health team which provides services on behalf of the council.

Mr Baker said: “Once again many people in St Albans supported this great traditional event. The new Flippin’ Walkers race was a particular success and enabled those who are not quite so quick on their feet to have a chance of winning.”

Cllr Sheila Burton, who took part in the event with three fellow LibDem councillors, commented: “It was a most enjoyable event. The teams were all loudly supported by the crowds and everybody had fun. The introduction of a Flipping Walkers’ Race allowed those with skill in tossing a pancake but not much such skill in running, to take part as well!”