World record attempt to be made Thursday at UC

Faculty, staff and students at the University of the Cumberlands are joining together Thursday to attempt to set an official world record.

The record in their sights involves placing 3,000 cooked hotdogs end to end.

The current record is 2,496.

Andrew Underwood, Dean of Student Life at the university, said officials had applied to Guinness about attempting to set the record with the initial goal of making the attempt in April.

“We heard back in early April, but that was too late to get organized,” Underwood said. So we asked to amend the date to August.”

Underwood said when searching for a record to attempt to break, the focus group of housing staff looked for a record that was funny, plausible and in which the entire university and the community could be involved in setting.

“There was a laugh and some odd looks, but afterward the general consensus was, ‘That sounds fun!’” Underwood said when asked what the reaction was when the specific record involved was revealed to university administrators.

If successful, Underwood said “University of the Cumberlands” would be listed as the new record holder.

There are specific requirements mandated by Guinness to officially set the record.

Underwood said the hot dogs must be seven inches long, sit in a bun and be wrapped.

“It is not a timed event, but the hot dogs do have to meet health code requirements,” Underwood said. “We hope to get all 3,000 laid out within an hour.”

Underwood said this would not be possible without the help of several businesses and individuals.

C&P Quality Meats is providing the hot dogs. Mitchell’s Chili is providing the chili for the after party during which the community is invited to partake of the hot dogs. Pioneer, which provides the food service at the university, will be doing the cooking for the event.

Local surveyor Bobby Anderson will be on hand to certify the attempt.

“Another requirement is that we have a certified surveyor to help prove we did break the record,” Underwood said.

Any hotdogs and condiments left over after the event will be donated to the local homeless shelter.

The event will begin at 4 p.m. with the record attempt commencing at 4:30 p.m. outside the university wellness center. The public is invited to attend.

Underwood said it should take approximately six weeks to hear back from Guinness as to whether or not the record attempt was successful.