ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Fifteen contestants. Six minutes and 66 seconds. Four foot-long hot dogs. One champion.  

Asheville brewery DSSOLVR is celebrating National Hot Dog Day with their fourth annual ‘Four Feet to Hell’ hot dog eating charity contest. The contest begins at 7 p.m., July 17 at DSSOLVR, 63 North Lexington Ave. 

The competition is Hell-themed because, as it turns out, eating six foot-long hot dogs in just over seven minutes was a circle of Hell Dante must have missed. 

“It started as a joke between employees here,” said DSSOLVR owner Mike Semenec. “Our first thought was to do six of these hot dogs, but we all thought that would be way too much and chopped it down to four.” 

Semenec recalled that first rendition of Four Feet to Hell was a formidable challenge. Only a couple DSSOLVR employees survived the experience. Semenec, meanwhile, emerged victorious. 

“We decided then it would be a great thing to host,” Semenec laughed. “We didn’t wanna try and pull any weight from Nathan’s on the Fourth of July, but National Hot Dog Day was coming up soon after.” 

Every Four Feet to Hell since has been on National Hot Dog Day. The competition is not only a celebration of the holiday, however. The proceeds from entry will go to MANNA Food Bank, a local non-profit organization. 

“Honestly the best part of this competition is that we get to raise money for such an awesome non-profit in Asheville here,” Semenec said. 

The $5 entry fee also grants spectators raffle tickets for various sponsored raffle prizes. Local businesses like The Orange Peel, The Whale and Betty Pizza are among the raffle sponsors. 

The competition wieners themselves, which Semenec calls Hell Dogs, are specially made by local butchery The Chop Shop. Each of the 15 competitors are served their foot-long dogs with a pint of DSSOLVR German pilsner and must finish all in their entirety – bun, dog and beer – in under six minutes and 66 seconds to claim victory. The fastest glizzie guzzler will claim competition gold. 

“That’s the difference between ours and other hot dog eating competitions,” Semenec said. “It’s not as much as you can eat, it’s more like the fastest to eat.” 

The grand champion will get their name listed on the Four Feet to Hell championship belt and a $100 DSSOLVR gift card, as well as a few choice selections of merch. The second- and third-place contestants will receive prizes too.  

However, Semenec also wanted to ensure anyone who could eat that much hot dog in such little time is honored. Those who beat the “Hell Clock” during the competition will have their picture put up on the brewery’s “Hall of Flames.” 

This year, contestants face some stiff competition. Returning champion Aaron Ybarra is at the table, and his face is emblazoned on the pilsner can, an additional prize for Four Feet to Hell champions. 

Spectators can purchase Four Feet to Hell pints and their own hot dogs from Night Dogs, a visiting hot dog stand. 

“They’re gonna be our guest vendor this year,” Semenec said. “Every year we’ve had different hot dog vendors pop up so everyone who’s joining us can partake in some hot dog action.” 

National Hot Dog Day celebrators can find out more about the action at DSSOLVR on their website, HERE.