Clawing out a victory: Great American Crab Races feature hermit crabs

CLARK LAKE, Mich. — In a pinch, the crabs came out on top.

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Hermit crabs stole the show during the final day of The Great American Crab Races at a Michigan restaurant.

The 29th version of the three-day event, held at The Beach Bar in Clark Lake, featured kids races on Saturday, MLive.com reported. The contest began 30 years ago but was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Crabs were placed at the center of a table, and the first crustacean to reach the outside of a ring near the rim of the furniture was declared the winner.

Emcee Dan Omo told children they would be squirted with a water bottle if they tried to coax the crabs too aggressively.

“I have yet to have anybody who has walked away from here who had a bad time,” Omo told MLive.com.

Organizer Linda Reynolds called this year’s event “a crazy three days.”

“So many people have come in that have never done it before,” Reynolds told MLive.com.

The winning racers in the children’s bracket won $200, $150 and $100, according to MLive.com. Adult winners received $600 for first place, $350 for second place and $200 for third place.

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