Lapinski Wins her Second Pancake Day Race in Two Years, Claims International Title

This coach knows what she is talking about.  Liberal High School head  cross country coach Maggie Lapinski won her second Liberal Pancake Day race in three years.  On a sunny 28 degree day with abundant snow on the ground around the street, Lapinski raced down the wet track to win handily with a time of 1:02.98 down the 415 yard S shaped curve.  Lapinskis time was good enough to claim the International Titles as Olney’s winner, Amy Butler finished the Olney leg in 1:10.00.

The starting line is on 6th and Kansas near the Liberal Memorial Library.  The course veers right on fifth and then finishes down Lincoln.

Maria Alba was second and Morgan Potts was third.

Lapinski, after a one year break from Pancake Day, led from start to finish.  Lapinski won the Liberal and International Pancake Day Race two years ago in 1:01.06.  Lapinski is a 27 year old physical education teacher for USD 480.  Maria Alba took second.  She is a 29 year old stay at home mom.  Morgan Potts was third.  She is a 27 year old teacher.   Liberal had a full field of 15 ladies running in the race.

Amy Butler won the Olney, England race. Her time was 1:10.00

This year marks the 70th year of the International Pancake Day Race.  Coming into the race, Liberal led the series 38-29 with two no contests.  Olney’s Lianne Fisher is the record holder at 55.02 in 2016.  Liberal’s record holder is Tasha Gallegos with a time of 57.5 in 2009.

The tradition with Liberal and Olney begain in 1950 from a magazine picture of the Olney women racing each other to the church.  Liberal Jaycee President R>J. Leete contacted the Rev. Ronald Collins, Vicar of St. Paul’s Church in Olney, challenging their women to a race against the women of Liberal.  The event occurs every Shrove Tuesday.