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Pancake Day in Liberal
 

Featured in the March/April issue of 1956 (Editor’s Note: This article has been lightly updated)

Well known as the home of such famous trackmen as Glenn Cunningham and the controversial Wes Santee, Southwest Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø lays claim to another group of runners, equally as famous in their own field. These are the housewives of Liberal, who-armed with a skillet and pancake-race a 415-yard, S-shaped course along the brick streets of Liberal each year on Shrove Tuesday.  Their object is to beat the racing time of a group of housewives in Olney, England, who are running in a similar race there.

This international competition had its start in 1950 when the Liberal women challenged the English, who had been running each year in a local pancake race that dated back to the 1400's. This year's event in Liberal-the biggest yet-was an all-day program that included a community pancake breakfast at 6:30 a. m., four pancake races, a beauty contest, and a five-state amateur contest.
 

The principal event in Liberal's Pancake Day festivities is the International Race between the housewives of Liberal and Olney, England. Winner of the seventh international event-this year's race-was Liberal’s Nina Jordan. All in all, it was a busy-and exciting day for Jordan, who was participating in the race for the sixth time. For her winning efforts this year, she received a check for $250 from the Liberal Jaycees, a two weeks’ vacation, plus several other prizes.

Editor’s Notes:

With over 7,500 people watching, Jordan won the race with a time of one minute and 14.6 seconds, leading the race of 11 Liberal runners. Following the main race, an all-kids race followed. Carolyn Smith won the 10-year clad and Janice Jo Rogers crossed the finish line first in the 12-year race. Other events included a morning parade, a “Miss Flipper” pageant, and a talent contest.

More about Liberal's International Pancake Day Race