It was a brisk autumn afternoon, when the intrepid warriors embarked upon the most daunting quest in Davis Square. The 5 brave souls, accompanied by a coterie of well wishers, stepped out of the Firstgiving offices hoping, but not knowing, who would be triumphant, and who would scurry home with a little more than a massive case of heartburn.
Thus began, THE SPIKE’S Kennel Club CHALLENGE!
The Challenge:
1. Eat as many hot dogs in 90 minutes without leaving the restaurant or using the restroom.
2.Eat 6 or more hot dogs, you get a free t-shirt and your photo posted on the wall of the restaurant.
3. Eat more than the reigning champ, you get a t-shirt, hat, or visor, your picture on the wall, AND your money back. On this day, the Champ had eaten 13 hot dogs!!!!
4. As eloquently stated in the official "Kennel Club Rules", BLOW CHUNKS = DISQUALIFICATION.
The Firstgiving Warriors:
1. Mark Sutton – FG CEO and resident junk food connoisseur
2. Jimmy Johnson – the pride of SE Mass/Rhode Island region
3. Mark W. – disciplined competitor and proud new father
4. Greg Psomas – hard working Northeastern Intern with unfortunate taste in sports teams
5. Dennis the Menace – proud goatee wearer, and early competition favorite
Which of these fine specimens would rise to the top of the competitive eating heap?
The action began fast and furious, due to a side bet, on who would be the first to consume hot dog number one! With an eye on the prize, Jimmy, Greg and Dennis gobbled down that first dog in a flurry of bun crumbs, but in the end, it was Dennis that took that first prize.
All comers were able to finish that first dog, and amazingly, three more for each!!! It was after dog number four that the competitors began to feel the wrath of Spike’s Junkyard dogs!
Jimmy was the first to fall. He hit number four quickly…perhaps a bit TOO quickly. After that last bite, Jimmy knew he was bested, made a discrete trip to the restroom, then began the long lonely walk to the train…head hung in shame!
Although Mark W. paced himself,as any wise distance runner would do, he
too was done after dog number four. Apparently the idea of a fifth
spicy dog was a bit more than his stomach could bear. Fortunately, his
wife and son were there to soothe his wounded pride.
And then there were three!
After dog number four, the pace slowed considerably for the remaining eaters. There was time for conversation and entertainment from the support team ladies! Through it all, the gents were continued to slowly consume the massive hot dogs.
Next came dog number five…then to the first prize winning milestone,
dog number six! First to hit the magic number was the silently
confident intern, Greg. Well after his competition had begun to show
signs of discomfort, he continues to quietly put the hot dogs away
without breaking a sweat. Next comes early favorite, Dennis. Then the
boss man, Mark Sutton finishes number six.
While the other two eaters are trying to decide whether they can push
on, Greg changes his strategy and separates the dog and bun, and works
his way through dog number seven! And have I mentioned that there’s
still 45 minutes left in the competition?
As the amazing intern begins his EIGHTH gigantic hot dog, both Mark and Dennis threw in the towel, content to qualify for the t-shirt, and a spot on the wall. Each consumed 6 hot dogs. No fall feat!
And then there was one! Chewing through the pain, Greg finishes dog number EIGHT. He takes a moment to stretch his tummy, conduct interviews with his fans, and contemplate his next move. Should he go for dog number nine, which would cement his place in Spike’s Kennel Club: the area set aside for the best of the best hot dog eaters! There was plenty of time left to achieve the feat, but how much room left inside of Greg?
After a bit of goading and loud cheers from the faithful fans, Greg embarked on Dog number NINE! Holy Moly! He began with the dog itself. He made short work of the spicy sausage, leaving just that last fluffy bun. The end was in sight! And with the gritty determination we’ve come to expect from a kid from New Jersey, Greg downed the last of that bun with a flourish!
Take a moment to congratulate Greg for his amazing accomplishment! And watch him down that last dog on YOUTUBE! :-)
