In the English village of Congham, Norfolk, more than 200 snails gathered for the ultimate test of speed at the annual World Snail Racing Championships. This year’s slimy superstar was Bilbo Sluggins, who inched his way to victory with a winning time of 2 minutes and 11 seconds across the demanding 13-inch course. His handler, Shell Rowe, didn’t even own the champion but cleverly rented him after spotting his escape-artist tendencies and fighting spirit.
The quirky competition has been delighting families since the 1960s, when founder Tom Elwes brought the concept back from France to create one of the world’s most uniquely entertaining sporting events. Races take place on a damp tablecloth where snails start in the center circle and race toward the outer edge, while the Snail Master keeps the course well-watered and shouts the traditional starting command. Rowe took home a trophy stuffed with lettuce leaves, the perfect victory snack for a gastropod champion. The beloved event proves that sometimes the most joyful competitions are the ones where patience, not speed, creates the most memorable moments.