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Crowds lined the street as 28 teams smashed it over a half mile potato race course in Ely. Official starters for the day included MP Lucy Frazer and Ely Town Mayor Richard Hobbs.
A two-man Atrium gym team were crowned worthy men’s champions whilst Elyte Fitness took the ladies cup and St John’s School the Corkers Crisps Children’s Maiden Stakes. The winning farmers were Richard Gott and J Gilbert & Sons.
The race is the World’s only potato street race and is likened to the Grand National. The farmers are the stable with the jockeys coming from organisations from across the area.
This year’s event featured the fire service , ambulance service, local gyms plus some dinaosaurs and even a running potato or two and more!
The sixth annual potato race is organised by Isle of Ely Produce to celebrate the region’s potato growers and the local harvest festival.
Isle of Ely produce director Oliver Boutwood said: “It was lovely to see so many people coming out to support the teams today. We are happy to play such an important part in the community and will continue to invest in these types of events in the future. The event underlines our pledge to support the journey of the potato from the field to the fryer.”
More than £3000 was raised for local charities some of which will go to the Ely Hereward Rotarians who helped steward the event along the high street. The pot will be divided up later, for local schools and charities.
Alongside the three winning teams were twenty five other teams who competed in what was hailed the most keenly contested race yet, according to organisers.
A fiercely contested children’s race between St Mary’s, St John’s and The Lantern primary schools saw the St John’s team lift the Corkers Crisps trophy for the second time.
The three schools share the £500 prize for their endeavours.
Austen Dack, of organisers Isle of Ely Produce, said: “It was a fantastic set of races and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.”
If you would like to race or be a sponsor email austen@chippychat.co.uk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ el_class=”sticky-container “][mnky_ads id=”114190”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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