Pancake Races 2026

The Lent Term tradition of Shrove Tuesday returned to Marlborough College Malaysia this February, bringing both schools together for the annual pancake races. Pupils from every year group took part, eager to secure victory and earn valuable House points in a morning of lighthearted competition.

While the event is a unique sight on the school calendar, it is rooted in a tradition dating back to 1445. As the story goes, a busy housewife in England was so preoccupied with making pancakes that she only realised the time when the church bells rang. She supposedly ran to the service, flipping her pancake as she went. Whether folklore or fact, this tradition remains a cherished part of the MCM Lent Term.

Pre-Prep and Prep Schools

The event began on the morning of Wednesday, 11th February and for our youngest pupils in Pre-Prep, this was a brand-new experience. There was plenty of practice and a few laughs as they mastered the art of the “toss” before taking to the track. In a colourful touch, the pancakes were dyed to match House colours, which helped the pupils keep track of their pancakes during the race.

The Prep School races followed, with a high level of participation across the board. The competition was steady and focused, with many pupils showing impressive coordination by managing several flips while maintaining their pace down the track.

Senior School

The Senior races took place on Thursday, 12th February, just before the start of the half-term break. Supporters gathered around Court to cheer for their respective Houses in what turned out to be a very successful lunchtime event.

The race was run as a traditional relay, requiring both speed and a steady hand from each House representative. While the speed of the race led to a few inevitable tumbles, it was wonderful to see the pupils’ resilience as they quickly recovered and kept going for their teams.

In the boys’ competition, Bickerton eventually pulled ahead to secure the victory, while Butler demonstrated excellent composure and consistent technique to claim first place for the girls’ houses.

Congratulations to all the competitors and Houses that took part in making Pancake Day 2026 a great community occasion, characterised by teamwork, House spirit, and a good sense of fun.