‘Truly America’s sport’: Richmond hot dog eating contest heats up July 4

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond’s Fourth of July celebrations brought more than fireworks this year -- they brought fire in the belly!

Hot dog lovers from across the area lined up and loosened their waistbands for Parlay’s Second Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest on Friday, July 4.

"It's the day that we celebrate this great country of ours, the United States of America," said announcer 'Unc Sam.' "It's our birthday. And what better way to spend it than choking down a couple of dogs?"

A hot dog eating contest was held in Richmond on July 4. (Photo: Sara Molina, 8News)

Contestants had just 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible, all by hand -- no utensils allowed. Water was provided for dunking, but competitors were also allowed to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages for backup.

"I'm kind of more of like a marathon runner than a sprinter," said contest winner Paul Tran.

Tran ate nine hot dogs. While competing, he is known as "McNasty." He took home the trophy prize, "the Golden Glizzy," plus $500 in cash. He said this is his second year competing, eating 11 hot dogs last year.

"This year we're also like double the size of last year," Tran said. 

The event is quickly becoming a Fourth of July tradition for local glizzy gobblers.

"This is truly America's sport," Tran said. "Eating hot dogs on the Fourth of July, watching like so many dogs, like 70 dogs on TV. And nothing's better."

The rules were simple but strict: no food could be touched before the buzzer, only full hot dogs and buns counted and vomiting meant automatic disqualification.

"I feel like now that things have settled down, I could have another hot dog," Tran said.

Last year, Axios ranked Richmond among the top 10 hot dog-loving cities in the country, and this event showed exactly why.