Ottawa beats world record for most snowmen built in an hour

Hundreds of Ottawa residents banded together in a feat of strength and skill on Sunday, in frigid conditions and with lacklustre snow resources, to beat the Guinness world record for the most snowmen built in an hour.

The old record was set in 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah, with 1,279 snowmen built.

Ottawa managed to break that record on Sunday with 1,299 snowmen — just 20 more than in 2011.

The event was held on the football field at TD Place Stadium and was hosted by the Cracking-Up the Capital comedy festival.

"It's tough. The snow definitely isn't up to par," said Torrey MacPherson. "It's really difficult!"

But in 60 minutes, Ottawans managed to overcome the challenge.

"It was really close! ... But we've hit the number and now all  we have to send the information off to Guinness ... and get them to approve it," said John Helmkay, who founded the comedy festival.

"It was a pretty slim margin."