Fen skating in Cambridgeshire

For the first time since 1997 organised races were held on a frozen flooded field in the Fens Photograph: guardian.co.uk A competitor gets in some early morning practice before the crowds turn up Photograph: guardian.co.uk Clearing the track from any loose snow before racing can take place Photograph: guardian.co.uk Plenty of local children tried it out Photograph: guardian.co.uk Plenty of people turned up for the occasion to have fun as well as watch the racing Photograph: guardian.co.uk Putting on your racing skates Photograph: guardian.co.uk Skaters brought along their garden chairs to sit on while changing into their skates Photograph: guardian.co.uk A start in the mens mile Photograph: guardian.co.uk Competitors in the first heat of the first race start. It was the mens mile (4 laps of the oval circuit) Photograph: guardian.co.uk Dave Smith finished 3rd in the mens mile Photograph: guardian.co.uk A competitor eats a snack bar in front of an old national skating trophy Photograph: guardian.co.uk A corner of the field was given to ice hockey players Photograph: guardian.co.uk Clearing away the loose snow to make a smoother surface to race on Photograph: guardian.co.uk As the sun goes down there are still many people enjoying the conditions Photograph: guardian.co.uk