Skip to content

1995: when Burnaby elementary students still raced snails annually

Rosser elementary Grade 1 student Stanton Chan and a purpose-bred racing snail were preparing for the slowest race in Burnaby in June 1995. Rosser elementary Grade 1 student Stanton Chan prepares to race his snail in 1995.
racing snail
A purpose-bred racing snail prepares to race in the annual Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club snail races at Rosser Elementary School in 1995.

Rosser elementary Grade 1 student Stanton Chan and a purpose-bred racing snail were preparing for the slowest race in Burnaby in June 1995.

snail races
Rosser elementary Grade 1 student Stanton Chan prepares to race his snail in 1995.

The pair was gearing up for the annual Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club snail races the following day.

The event was expected to draw 258 students to the school’s gymnasium and would feature snails racing from the centre of a round table to a finish line of shredded lettuce 13 inches away.