Sluggish speedsters are wanted for a slimy showdown as a quirky Norfolk event shifts to a new venue.
Aylsham is to host its first snail races on Saturday, August 5.
Congham, near King's Lynn, had been the site of the World Snail Racing Championships for more than 25 years, but Covid stalled the annual slide-off and it was later abandoned.
But local food group Slow Food Aylsham - whose logo is a snail - is keen to revive snail racing and plans to have some at its food and craft market.
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Patrick Prekopp, the food group’s chairman, said: “It started out as a fun thing to do for children in the holidays, but the local traders wanted to join in so we are now having two races – one for the children and the big kids too, and the ‘business challenge’.
“So start the hunt for your winning snail now.”
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Hilary Scase, who organised the Congham races, said: "Children make better snail owners and trainers than adults.
"They make pets of their snails and let them crawl all over their arms, legs and faces."
The world record of two minutes over the 13-inch course was set up by a snail called Archie in 1995. Ms Scase said: “He went out to stud as is usually the way with world champions.”
The current world champion is a snail called Larry, whose owner came from Castle Acre near Swaffham. His time was 2 minutes 47 seconds.
Businesses taking part in the challenge will sponsor their snails for £10, with proceeds going to North Norfolk Foodbank.
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Mr Prekopp said the races were refereed by a ‘snail master’ who kept order, tested for drugs and watched out for cheating.
Entrants are advised to collect snails from a garden or hedgerow. Favourite places are behind or underneath big stones.
To enter, email slowfoodaylsham@gmail.com with your name, age and contact details, and the age of the snail.
The rules of snail racing
1. There are no rules.
The Snail Master has a very free hand and if he decides, on the spur of the
moment, something is against the rules, it is.
2. Giant foreign snails are not allowed. Ordinary garden snails are best.
3. The owner can feed his snails anything, but they must be returned to the garden after the race.
4. Snails don’t take a lot of looking after. Don’t choose them too long before the
race, and they will look after themselves.
5. Each snail has a sticker stuck on them so they can be identified.
6. Entrants can have as many snails as they like but, depending on numbers,
only one per heat.
7. Snails race 13 inches from the centre of a circle to the outside circle on a
white cloth on a table which is kept damp for the races. Snails gather in a
circle in the middle and are pointed in the right direction.
8. Snails are not allowed to hitch rides. Snails will climb on top of each other,
and this behaviour is frowned upon and must be stopped.
9. Snail Master shouts: "Ready, steady, slow!"
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