Snail Racing World Championships Congham Diary date 19th July 2025
Ready - Steady - Slow!!
Snail Racing World Championships Congham Diary date 19th July 2025
Ready - Steady - Slow!!
“Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing.”
Hilary Scase
Snail Racing information
Snail Racing History
Snail Racing History
Snail Racing History
The annual "Snail Racing World Championships" started in Congham, Norfolk in the 1960s after founder Tom Elwes witnessed a snail racing event in France. The 1995 race saw the setting of the benchmark time of 2 minutes by a snail named Archie.
All proceeds from the Snail Race go to St Andrews Church in Congham
The annual "Snail Racing World Championships" started in Congham, Norfolk in the 1960s after founder Tom Elwes witnessed a snail racing event in France. The 1995 race saw the setting of the benchmark time of 2 minutes by a snail named Archie.
All proceeds from the Snail Race go to St Andrews Church in Congham
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/70393-fastest-snail-racing
Racing Background
Snail Racing History
Snail Racing History
The Snail Master starts the races. They shout: "Ready, steady, SLOW!" And off dash the snails! The Snail Master keeps the course well-watered as snails like damp conditions.
Races are held on a table covered with a white cloth. Machine a circle, with braid in the middle, and then machine a similar circle 13 inches away.
Owners can dress u
The Snail Master starts the races. They shout: "Ready, steady, SLOW!" And off dash the snails! The Snail Master keeps the course well-watered as snails like damp conditions.
Races are held on a table covered with a white cloth. Machine a circle, with braid in the middle, and then machine a similar circle 13 inches away.
Owners can dress up.
The World record stands at 2 minutes over the 13 inches. It was set up in 1995 by a snail called Archie. The record can only be challenged at the World Championships at Congham.
Giant foreign snails are not allowed
Often owners like to give their snails names like Speedy or Zoomer!
The 2024 World Champion
The 2024 World Champion
The 2024 World Champion
Simon and Jeff receiving the World Championship Trophy from Snail master Nicholas Dickinson and Ian Haynes. Jeff won with a time of 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
Previous Champions
- 2023 Lettie 7 mins 24 secs
- 2019 Sammy 2 mins 38 secs
- 2018 Hosta 3 mins 10 secs
- 2017 Larry 2 mins 47 secs
- 2016
Simon and Jeff receiving the World Championship Trophy from Snail master Nicholas Dickinson and Ian Haynes. Jeff won with a time of 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
Previous Champions
- 2023 Lettie 7 mins 24 secs
- 2019 Sammy 2 mins 38 secs
- 2018 Hosta 3 mins 10 secs
- 2017 Larry 2 mins 47 secs
- 2016 Herbie 2 3 mins 25 secs
- 2015 George 2 mins 45 secs
- 2014 Wells 3 mins 19 secs
- 2013 Racer II 2 mins 47 secs
- 2012 Racer 3 mins 20 secs
- 2011 Zoomer 3 mins 23 secs
- 2010 Sidney 3 mins 41 secs
- 2009 Terri 2 mins 49 secs
- 2008 Heikki 3 mins 2 secs
The 2023 World Champion
The 2024 World Champion
The 2024 World Champion
Lettie and Evie receiving the world championship trophy from snail master Nicholas Dickinson. Evie won with a time of 7minutes and 24 seconds.
Previous Champions
- 2019 Sammy 2 mins 38 secs
- 2018 Hosta 3 mins 10 secs
- 2017 Larry 2 mins 47 secs
- 2016 Herbie 2 3 mins 25 secs
- 2015 George
Lettie and Evie receiving the world championship trophy from snail master Nicholas Dickinson. Evie won with a time of 7minutes and 24 seconds.
Previous Champions
- 2019 Sammy 2 mins 38 secs
- 2018 Hosta 3 mins 10 secs
- 2017 Larry 2 mins 47 secs
- 2016 Herbie 2 3 mins 25 secs
- 2015 George 2 mins 45 secs
- 2014 Wells 3 mins 19 secs
- 2013 Racer II 2 mins 47 secs
- 2012 Racer 3 mins 20 secs
- 2011 Zoomer 3 mins 23 secs
- 2010 Sidney 3 mins 41 secs
- 2009 Terri 2 mins 49 secs
- 2008 Heikki 3 mins 2 secs
radio 6PR Perth Australia interview
radio west norfolk interview
https://www.radiowestnorfolk.co.uk/world-snail-racing-championships/
The World Snail Racing Championships began in Congham in the 1960s and has since become a World recognised event each year. The quirky event takes place at Grimston Cricket Club near Congham Hall on Saturday, July 8th and Si spoke to race organiser Nicholas Dickson about what you can expect from this fun family day out.