Vegreville attempts to crack world record for largest egg-and-spoon race

The Town of Vegreville attempted to break the world record for the largest egg-and-spoon race on Saturday. The race was 100-metres and lasted ten minutes.

Vegreville, Alta., is taking a crack at a new world record for the largest egg-and-spoon race.

The town, which sits about an hour east of Edmonton, hosted an attempt for the Guinness World Record title at Pysanka Park on Saturday afternoon.

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One of the organizers, Jamieson Brown, said they’re hoping for around 2,500 participants. The current record is 2,039 people, set in Jalisco, Mexico in 2024 during their International Egg Festival.

“It’s going to take us a few days to total all of the numbers to make sure that everybody was accounted for,” Brown said. “But either way, it’s been an incredible turnout.”

Brown added there were even people coming out from as far as Ontario to take part in the race.

And what better backdrop, of course, than The Vegreville Pysanka, the world’s largest Easter egg, which sits in the park.

“That beautiful egg in the background is turning 50 years old this year. That Pysanka means a tremendous amount to our community,” he said.

The Ukrainian-style Easter egg was created to highlight the town’s significant Ukrainian heritage. Brown estimates between 60,000 and 80,000 people every year come to visit it.

“This summer, it’s been up and bringing people from all over the world,” he said.

The egg-and-spoon race itself was 10 minutes and 100 metres long. Brown explained that in order to qualify for the world record attempt, no more than 10 per cent of participants can drop their egg.

It’s an official and organized attempt, with cameras, stewards and all sorts of monitoring to ensure the race is a clean one.

“The pressure is on,” said participant Brandon Metchooyeah. He’s been a Vegreville resident for 14 years.

“Hopefully it makes a name for our town. We’re known for the world’s largest Easter egg, now we’re going to be known for the egg challenge,” he said.

Scott Kucherawy said he’s confident the record will hold up.

“It’s not that hard. Just have to walk 100 metres with it,” he said. “We have not been practicing. We’re just going in there, winging it. We’ll get it done.”

Every egg involved in the race was donated by Albertan egg farmers and Brown said everyone is encouraged to either bring their egg home or give it back to the organizers for a food bank donation.

“If we can find a way to get all of the seasoning and the accoutrements, maybe we’ll have a big omelette,” Brown joked.

On a serious note, though, he said the community turnout for a “silly attempt” has been heartwarming.

“We’re incredibly blessed … it really means the world to us.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall