Celebrate Shrove Tuesday in time honoured tradition at one of the many Pancake Day London races. Spectators can cheer on teams of racers in this lively family event, and if you’re up to the challenge, grab a frying pan, don an apron and get involved in one of the Pancake Day London races yourself.

The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race
Head down to Dray Walk on Shrove Tuesday for The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, one of the most popular of all the Pancake Day London races. An afternoon of fun and flipping is in store, with costumed racers (in teams of four) competing for the grand prize of an engraved frying pan. The event takes place on Tuesday 24th February and is free to attend. Heats begin at 12.30pm and races will be run along Dray Walk at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race is organised by Alternative Arts in aid of the London Air Ambulance.

Nearest tube: Shoreditch.
For further information or to enter a team call 020 7375 0441 or click on the link below.

Alternative Arts Official Website

Poulters Company Pancake Races
Dozens of teams representing the livery companies of Guildhall will be running and tossing pancakes in a series of traditional Pancake Day races in the fifth annual Poulters Company Shrove Tuesday event. Spectators are welcome to cheer on their favourite teams, with everyone from carriage drivers to chartered accountants competing for glory. Heats will lead up to four separate finals, where teams of four will battle it out for a prize copper pancake pan. If watching all that running around works up your appetite, then there will also be fresh pancakes on sale. The Poulters Company Pancake Races begin at 11am on Tuesday 24th February.

Nearest tubes: Bank and St Pauls.
The event is free to attend. For further information call 020 7620 1818.

The All Hallows Great Pancake Race
The All Hallows Great Pancake Race is guaranteed to be a grand affair, with teams of runners taking to the streets of London armed with pancakes and frying pans. The event takes place opposite the Tower of London, promising traditional Shrove Tuesday fun in an historic London setting. The race will be held at 1pm on Tuesday 24th February at Tower Terrace, opposite the Tower of London, and is free to attend. The event is being held by All Hallows Church.

Nearest tube: Tower Hill.
For further information or to enter a team call 020 7481 2928 or click on the link below.

Great Pancake Race Official Website

Parliamentary Pancake Race
Taking place in Victoria Tower Gardens, the Parliamentary Pancake Race will see members of the Houses of Parliament racing against members of the press whilst carrying pans full of pancakes. If you want to see whether the politicians are in for another grand battering at the hands of the press, and whether there are going to be more dirty tricks and racers getting tripped up by other competitors, the race starts at 10.15am and is free to watch.The Pancake Day London races take place on Tuesday 24th February 2009.

Other London events