MEXICO CITY – The Mexican capital set Monday a new Guinness record by making the world’s biggest Rosca de Reyes (a ring-shaped cake baked for Epiphany), weighing 10.5 tons and measuring 720 meters (2,360 feet) long, which was enjoyed by thousands of local residents.

The municipal secretary of economic development, Laura Velazquez, together with the leaders of the Canainpa bakers association, led the cutting and sharing out of the traditional treat.

For us it’s very important to come here and set this new record, but what is more important is coming here to rescue our traditions,” the official said, adding that the city government will apply for the certificate of the Guinness record, which was confirmed by a notary.

Slices of cake were distributed among the thousands of people attending the activity to keep up the tradition.

The event also kicked off celebrations for the Bicentennial of Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution.

For his part, the president of Canainpa, Leopoldo Gonzalez, said that all that had been planned was achieved by setting the Guinness record and exceeding the mark set in Houston.

“We’re taking it as a fact that the city has the biggest Rosca de Reyes in the world and all that’s lacking is for them to give us the certificate,” the head of Mexico’s bakers said.

Gonzalez said that taking part in baking the cake were more than 3,000 bakers from more than 300 bakeries in Mexico City.

He said that in this cake more than 7,6 tons of flour, 3 tons of butter and more than 57,000 eggs were used.

The Rosca de Reyes is a family custom at the end of the Christmas season that brings people together around the seasonal treat. EFE