Snail racing is a form of humorous entertainment that involves the racing of two or more air-breathing land snails. Usually the garden snail (Cornu aspersum) is used. This species is native to Europe, but has been accidentally introduced to many countries all over the world.
There are numerous snail racing events in different places around the world, though the majority take place in the United Kingdom. Snail races usually take place on a circular track with the snails starting in the middle and racing to the perimeter. The track usually takes the form of a damp cloth on top of a table.11 January 2006 "World Snail Racing Championships: Press release 2". Accessed 5 August 2007. The radius is traditionally set at 13 or 14 inches (33 to 36 cm). Racing numbers are painted on the shells or small stickers or tags are placed on them to distinguish each competitor.
Competitions
World Snail Racing Championships The annual "World Snail Racing Championships" started in Congham, Norfolk, United Kingdom in the 1960s after founder Tom Elwes witnessed a snail racing event in France. They are usually held in July. The 1995 race saw the setting of the benchmark time of 2 minutes over the 13-inch (33 cm) course by a snail named Archie (speed of 0.006 mph). The 2007 event had to be cancelled when the course was waterlogged by a prolonged period of heavy rain, only days after the death of Elwes.Lynn News. 23 July 2007. "Snail racing cancelled". Accessed 5 August 2007. The 2008 World Championships were won by Heikki Kovalainen, a snail named after the Formula One racing driver, in a time of 3 minutes and 2 seconds.
+Winners of World Snail Racing Championships Year Series Champion Snail nameRace time199526thCarl BramhamArchie2 mins 0 secs199627th199728th199829thThomas Vincent (1)Schumacher199930th200031stThomas Vincent (2)Eddie Irvine4 mins 4 secs200132nd200233rdBrendan Hird200334th200435th200536thLiam EllisThierry200637thEmma HartleyArchie2 mins 20 secs2007Cancelled (waterlogged course)200838thGeorgie BrownHeikki3 mins 2 secs200939thClaire HopkinsTerri2 mins 49 secs201040thClaire LawrenceSidney3 mins 41 secs201141stAnton LucasZoomer3 mins 23 secs201242ndSue Ryder (1)Racer3 mins 20 secs201343rdSue Ryder (2)Racer II2 mins 47 secs201444thZeben Butler-AlldredWells3 mins 19 secs201545thDale ThorneGeorge2 mins 45 secs201646thColin VossHerbie 23 mins 25 secs201747thTara BeasleyLarry2 mins 47 secs201848thJo WaterfieldHosta3 mins 10 secs201949thMaria WelbySammy2 mins 38 secs2020Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)2021Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)2022Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)202350thLettie Spragg Evie7 mins 24 secs202451stSimon LilleyJeff4 mins 5 secs202552ndShell RoweBilbo Sluggins2 mins 11 secs
+Multiple Winners Champion WinsYears22012, 2013 21998, 2000
Guinness Gastropod Championship The first official competitive live snail race in London, the "Guinness Gastropod Championship" held in 1999, was commentated by horse racing pundit John McCririck who started the race with the words "Ready, Steady, Slow". This became common terminology for the start of a race. The following year Guinness featured a snail race in their advertisement Bet on Black as part of their "Good things come to those who wait" campaign.The Inspiration Room | Daily. "Guinness TV Adverts". Accessed 5 August 2008. The advert won the silver award at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival and was self-parodied for their "Extra Cold" campaign several years later.
Grand Championship Snail Race The "Grand Championship Snail Race" began in 1992 in the village of Snailwell, Cambridgeshire, England as part of its annual summer fête. It regularly attracts up to 400 people to the village, more than doubling its usual population.BBC News. 13 July 2007. "Snails race well for village fete". Accessed 5 August 2007.
References
External links
World Snail Racing Championships, snailracing.world World Snail Racing Championships Archive has results for the races in Congham from 2008 to 2019.