University of the Cumberlands awaiting word on world record attempt

Tom Petty once sang, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part,” but that is what more than 200 University of the Cumberlands students are doing following their attempt to set a new world record for most hot dogs lying end to end, Thursday afternoon.

The results of the effort will be submitted to Guinness and U.C. officials said it would take approximately six weeks to hear back as to whether or not it was successful.

If successful, “University of the Cumberlands” will be listed in the, “Guinness Book of World Records,” as the new record holder

Devon Goins, a residence hall director was decked out for the event, wearing a t-shirt featuring hot dogs as the stripes in the American flag, and a hot dog hat.

The University of the Cumberlands mascot kept his traditional tricorn hat, but sported the same t-shirt as he made his way around, firing up the crowd.

“I think this is fun,” said Whitley County Judge-executive Pat White, Jr. who turned out to support the effort.

White said he thought it was a unique record to undertake.

“Three thousand hot dogs in a row? I thought that was a pretty substantial obstacle for them to overtake.”

“I can’t think of anything better,” said Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison of the subject of the record attempt. “I can think of a lot of things worse.”

Harrison opened the event by preventing organizers with a certificate of achievement on behalf of the city, recognizing the world record attempt.

As songs such as Elvis Pressley’s, “Hound Dog,” played in the background, the participants began grabbing hot dogs and lining them up on tables set up outside the Ward Correll Health and Wellness Center.

To reach the necessary number, the line of hot dogs snaked around the tables multiple times.

“I just wanted to get with everyone and see what this is all about” said student Alyssa Dixon of Fort Thomas.

Once the hot dogs were in place, the certification process began.

Local surveyor Bobby Anderson, measured one of the hot dogs to be used earlier to get a baseline measurement, began the official tally, which came up to 3031.

“We have 453.63 meters (1,488 feet) worth of hot dogs right now,” Residence Hall Director Victoria Paynter announced, announcing that it shattered the record of 1,157 feet set by Japanese company Nakakyushu Kubota, and a record attempt by a golf course in Illinois on July 4 which laid out 1,163 feet of hot dogs (2,496 hot dogs) along one of its holes.

“I am over the world,” Paynter said afterwards. “I never imagined getting to be a part of something this awesome.”

“National championships, throw that stuff out the door. This is what matters,” Harrison said. “A world record, hot dog touching, Guinness Book of World Records winning, UC Campus. The Burg is on the map!”