May 26-June 1, 2005

mixpicks

Busting a Gut

stomach ache

There's no doubt we're a city of competitive eaters: Every year, the Wing Bowl is as much a cert for a Daily News cover as the winning football team. But we may be attracting other trough-cleaning fanatics just on the strength of our burgeoning rep as the city to beat. Evidence A: Nathan's, of frankfurter fame, arrives here this weekend to launch its International Hot Dog Eating Contest. It's still possible for those 18 and older to register to take part and face off against the men and women whose faces and stomachs expand to handle upwards of 50 dogs in 12 minutes. And if you get through this qualifying round, which forms part of the Independence Visitor Center "Kickoff to Summer" celebration Saturday, you're able to compete at the finals in Coney Island, N.Y., on July 4. (We imagine that last year's winner and record-holder, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, may drop his nickname, "The Tsunami," in deference to the past year's disaster — but when it comes to eating for prizes, taste isn't a factor.)

Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Competition Qualifying Round, Sat., May 28, noon, Independence Visitor Center, Sixth and Market sts., 215-965-7676, www.nathansfamous.com (to register).

—Juliet Fletcher