Video: St Albans goes flipping crazy for pancake race

Cheering supporters came in their dozens to egg on competitors as they tossed their way to the finish line in St Albans’ annual pancake race.

The heats in the running and walking events got underway at midday on Tuesday and despite some teams being on fine flipping form, only the cream of the crepe made it through to the finals.

In the traditional race Everyone Active put up a strong fight against overall winners Leisure Connection’s St Albans Arts, Sport and Health (SAASH).

And in the Flippin’ Walkers’ Race, where participants must continuously flip their pancake while making their way up and down the track, it was Atlas Translations who stormed to victory.

Just after their win, team member Sian Owen told the Herts Advertiser: “We are flipping out! I think the secret to our success was that we had an amazing coach and we listened to some inspirational music this morning.

“We are going to celebrate our victory by making some pancakes back at the office.”

Across the two races 90 people signed up to take part, and around 200 spectators gathered in the city centre to enjoy the thrills and spills of the 14th annual event.

Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Annie Brewster said: “Everyone deserves praise as it takes considerable skill and hand/eye co-ordination to be successful in these races, particularly at the pace our competitors were moving.

“A special well done to the teams who dressed up in pilots uniforms, theatrical masks, pink wings, hares and hounds, bumble bees and yards of flowing cassocks.”

She added: “One gentleman came on a bus all the way from High Wycombe to join the hundreds of spectators having enjoyed watching the city’s Shrove Tuesday event last year.”