Ely gearing up for a sack full of fun at Saturday’s potato race
Potatoe Sack Racing in Ely High Street, winners (l-r) from High Flyer Farm, Romas, Martinas, Renatas, and Richard Leenb; High Flyer racehorse never lost a race - Credit: Archant
A potato producer is once again looking to put a little fun into this year’s harvest by running a potato race in Ely on Saturday.
Isle of Ely Produce, of Littleport, is gearing up for the relay race which will see teams race from the farmers’ market, in Market Place, to the end of High Street near the cathedral.
Each competitor will be required to run the race with a bag of potatoes on his or her back.
Isle of Ely director Oliver Boutwood said: “We had a great response to last year’s race, with our local farmers and companies joining in.
“Once again we are looking for local farmers and members of the public to join in with a team of two for the event, with a cup for the first team home.
“There’s an entry fee of £10 for each team which will be donated to charity.”
Teams from Sainsbury’s, Star Radio and the Ely farmers market took part in last year’s innaugural race but the win was taken by the team from PJ Lee and Sons, of Highflyer Farm, who lived up to their namesake, the famous 18th century stallion Highflyer who was undefeated in 14 races and went on to sire a number of champions.
Most Read
- 1 21st century agreement on future of 17th century pub
- 2 ‘It’s sadly coming to a natural end’ - restaurant to close its doors by August
- 3 Littleport 'hit and run' on Victoria Street
- 4 Pedestrian struck on Ely Road in Littleport
- 5 Village barn struck by arsonists in 4am blaze
- 6 Florist 'busier than ever' hoping to build from lockdown success
- 7 Arsonist firebombed GP surgery after doctors refused to give him heroin
- 8 Former Baptist chapel to be turned into four-bedroom house
- 9 Council bans use of agricultural land to extend garden
- 10 Councillor hits out at 'huge intransigence' over splash pad project
They took home the winner’s cup, £150 in prize money plus the pot for charity which came out to £1,000
This year’s race will take place at about 11am on Saturday. To enter a team e-mail austen@isleofely.co.uk
All competitors get to keep their potatoes as part of their entry fee.
