LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) An English runner won the annual trans-Atlantic pancake race in record time Tuesday, beating the winner of the southwest Kansas leg of the race by 8.3 seconds.
It was the second win for Devon Byrne, 19, of Olney, England. She carried a pancake in a griddle over a 415-yard course in 56 seconds, besting the time of Liberal winner, Caitlyn Demarest, six hours later.
Legend recounts that the race began in 1455 when an Olney housewife ran to Shrove Tuesday church services still carrying a pancake in a frying pan. Liberal made it a friendly international competition in 1950.
Byrne’s victory brings the total to 36 wins for Liberal and 27 for Olney. The race in 1980 didn’t count because a media truck blocked the course in Olney.
