South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
No weenies: Miami hosting qualifier for Nathan’s Famous hot-dog eating contest
Are you hungry? Like, 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes hungry?
If so — and if you’re also hungry for some attention — you could wind up on ESPN.
Nathan’s Famous, which hosts the nationally televised July 4 hot-dog eating contest from Coney Island, is holding a qualifier at Marlins Park on April 20.
The best male and female hot dog eaters there will earn a seat at the table on July 4 in Brooklyn.
“The launch of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating contest circuit means that we are on our way toward the most exciting day of the year: July 4,” said Phil McCann, senior director of marketing of Nathan’s Famous. “We are seeking new talent in Miami to represent our nation on the most patriotic day of the year.”
If your eyes are as big as your stomach and you can envision taking home the prestigious Mustard Belt, consider this: Reigning champion Joey Chestnut set a new record last year with 74 dogs downed in 10 minutes (including the buns). Miki Sudo won last year’s women’s event after eating 37.
Though the fanfare and exposure for these overeaters has grown since ESPN began televising the event in 2004, Nathan’s is believed to have held the contest each July 4 since 1916.
“The Nathan’s hot dogeating contest is a holiday celebration that is recognized across the globe,” said Major League Eating chair George Shea. “There is no greater honor on July 4 than competing against the greatest eaters in the world on the big stage in Coney Island.”
To register for the Miami qualifier, visit majorleagueeating.com. (Applicants must be 18 or older.)
And if scarfing down indecipherable meats isn’t your thing, you may have heard that Jeopardy is looking for contestants in South Florida, too.