Comic Costume Race was shot on 14 July 1896 at the Music Hall Sports event at Herne Hill, South London.
The film was shown at Sadler's Wells on 14 December 1896.
The film had already been seen by Queen Victoria, as it was included in a programme of short films presented at Windsor Castle on 23 November 1896.
This film is included in the BFI DVD compilation 'R.W. Paul: The Collected Films 1895-1908', with music by Stephen Horne and optional commentary by Ian Christie.