'I'll remember to bring my runners next time': Cork City traffic stops for pancake race

The Shrove Tuesday tradition dates back to 1826

Azim Ali (left) from The Address and Robert Bejanishvili (right) of The Metropole Hotel were joint winners of the Metropole Hotel’s annual pancake race on MacCurtain Street today. Picture: Brian Lougheed

It was a pan-tastic case of batter and banter in Cork City as traders stopped traffic to recreate a once-famous pancake racing tradition.

Armed with frying pans and pre-made pancakes, dozens of traders sprinted down MacCurtain Street in the hopes of being crowned the “Pancake Race Champion".

The Shrove Tuesday tradition of running while flipping pancakes dates back to 1826 when Thompson’s Bakery led the charge. It was then revived by the Metropole Hotel in 2018.

This year’s winners were The Address’s Azim Ali and the Metropole’s Robert Bejanishvili.

Azim Ali (left) and Robert Bejanishvili (right) having some flipping fun at the Metropole Hotel’s annual pancake race in Cork City. Picture: Brian Lougheed

“It feels really good to win, I would race one more time just to win again,” Mr Bejanishvili said.

“15 years of training went into today. I do have a history in track and sport, and I played handball professionally for 15 years. I would definitely tell people to join next year, it’s a huge fun.

“If you want to win, I would definitely suggest training,” Mr Bejanishvili joked.

Azim Ali (left) and Robert Bejanishvili (right) sharing the spoils at the Metropole Hotel’s annual pancake race in Cork City. Picture: Brian Lougheed

For Mr Ali, while he didn’t mind sharing the joint championship title, he said it will “definitely be me winning next year".

“I’m just going to run a lot, run away from people, run towards people, all of that,” he said when talking about training for next year’s race.

“I will start spending more time on the treadmills in our hotel gym now,” he said.

Traders from the VQ area of Cork City gathered at the Metropole Hotel’s annual pancake race Picture: Brian Lougheed

Mr Ali said he woke up at 6am and said to himself that he would be the winner today.

“I just wanted to win, and so I did; that was the plan,” he added.

However, James Healy, who had high hopes to win this year, said he was not “disappointed” because it was “all fun taking part in it".

(Left to right) Former champion, James Healy from The Shelbourne Bar, with today's joint winners Azim Ali from The Address and Robert Bejanishvili of The Metropole Hotel were joint winners. Picture: Brian Lougheed

Mr Healy, who works at the Shelbourne Bar, had previously won the race.

“I’ll go back to training and come back stronger for the next one, and I will remember to bring my runners next time,” Mr Healy added.