Annual Snail Racing World Championships return to England

Slow and steady wins this race.

An annual snail racing event — which holds a Guinness World Record as the longest running humane snail-racing world championships — is making a comeback post pandemic.

The Snail Racing World Championships in Congham, England, returns Saturday after being on hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Snail Master starts the races, which are being held at Grimston Cricket Club, by shouting, “Ready, steady, slow! And off dash the snails!”

The competition, which consists of the slimy creatures machining a circle with a braid in the middle, is held on a table covered with a cloth.

The novel event began in the 1960s after founder Tom Elwes watched snails race at an event in France.

In 1995, the benchmark time of 2 minutes was set by a snail named Archie, who still holds the world record. In 2019, Sammy won, having completed the course in 2 minutes and 38 seconds.

All proceeds from the competition go to St. Andrews Church in Congham.