Here at Krystalist, we’re familiar with many of the great professional eating competitions such as Nathan’s World Hot Dog Eating Championship, the Buffalo Wing Festival, Three Brothers Pizza World Pizza Championship and best of all, the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship. However, we had never heard of The Burrito Mile eating contest until last week.

On Feb. 18 Gazette.net, a community newspaper in Gaithersburg, MD, informed readers about this new type of competition that involves more than fast eating – fast running. Organized by the students at Walter Johnson High School, The Burrito Mile requires participants do just what it sounds like – eat a burrito and run one full mile, without a “reversal of fortune,” as they say like to say on the circuit.

This unique eating contest takes training to whole new level because there are two sports involved, not just one. According to 17-year-old junior Sean O’Leary, “The running means nothing if you can’t eat fast.” Typical thinking from a track athlete who has the running portion in the bag, but most professional eaters would say the opposite.

We’re guessing that the runners have the advantage in this race, but it’s good training for those interested in a real eating championship. Some of these high school students just might make it to the IFOCE’s annual Costa Vida World Burrito Eating Championship to steal the title from 2008 winner, Tim “Eater X” Janus, a Krystal Square off veteran.

And, you never know, the folks at Krystal could put a similar twist on this year’s Krystal Square Off to include a swim across the Tennessee River. We’re thinking triathlon. Now that would be fun to watch!

As host of the annual Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, Krystal has become an avid fan of the famed competitive eating greats and loves to give a shout out when possible. Luckily, we’re not the only ones!

Eat Feats recently posted the following poll: Top Male & Female Competitive Eaters of 2008 and the votes are in. However, after much debate the top spot is still undecided. Nominees include:

Male
•    “Furious” Pete Czerwinski
•    Joey “Jaws” Chestnut
•    Bruce “The Hangman” Pobanz
•    Takeru Kobayashi “The Tsunami”
•    “Beautiful” Brian Seiken
•    Don “Moses” Lerman
•    “Crazy Legs” Conti
•    Tim Janus “Eater X”
•    Arnie “Chowhound” Chapman
•    “Gentleman” Joe Menchetti
•    “Pretty Boy” Pete Davekos
•    Brad “Old School” Sciullo
•    Rich LeFevre “The Locust”
•    Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti

Female
•    Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas
•    Natsuko “Gal” Sone
•    “Little” Tomoko Miyake

We can already think of a few food major-leaguers that aren’t on the list. And, is it just us, or do we need some more women in the game? Tell us who you think deserves the title of best competitive eater.

The Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship will be in the spotlight tonight on ESPN as the network’s prime-time television newsmagazine, E:60, takes an in-depth look at the sport of competitive eating. The program airs at 7:00 p.m. ET.

A camera crew from E:60 covered several stops along this year’s Krystal Square Off tour, including qualifiers in Nashville and Knoxville and the World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga. Among the competitive eaters who will be showcased include Takeru Kobayashi, Joey Chestnut, “Crazy Legs” Conti and Tim “Eater X” Janus.

A press release from ESPN describes the coverage as follows:

There are 80-100 competitive eating events a year at venues across the country. The top two are Nathan’s in New York and Krystal’s hamburgers in Tennessee. In a sport replete with colorful personalities, E:60 correspondent Jeremy Schaap takes an in-depth look at competitive eating . . . Highlights include interviews with some of the greatest “eaters” in the world such as Takeru Kobayashi, Joey Chestnut, Juliet Lee, “Crazy Legs” Conti and Tim “Eater X” Janus.

If you missed the action at this year’s Krystal Square Off, head over to the Krystal Square Off blog for coverage, podcasts, videos and photos.

Tim "Eater X" Janus claims victory at the Knoxville qualifier for the Krystal Square Off V with 63 Krystals.

This past weekend was a busy one for the Krystal Square Off V qualifying circuit.  Not only was there the hectic, back-to-back event schedule to content with, but there was also a bit of controversy surrounding the contest in Nashville, which ultimately led to the IFOCE instating a new rule.

Here’s a recap of the Nashville contest courtesy of the Krystal Square Off Blog:

In a contest marked by controversy and the hottest and most humid conditions seen on the tour so far, Juliet Lee’s victory had some calling foul due to excessive debris during the eight-minute regulation period. After a lengthy conference with judges, Major League Eating made the decision to hold a three person eat-off, the first ever in Krystal Square Off history, between “The Lovely” Lee, Eric “Badlands” Booker and Juris “Dr. Bigtime” Shibayama. Each was presented with 10 Krystals, and Lee was first to consume hers, earning her the win.

Because of the excessive debris issue and the difficulty judges had tallying the number of Krystal burgers actually consumed by a number of eaters, include Lee, Major League Eating held an impromptu conference call Saturday evening to discuss establishing a new rule that will help prevent confusion in future contest.

Coined the Mustard Yellow Card, the rule will allow judges to disqualify competitors for “messy eating” after an initial warning is given.

A full explanation of the rule from IFOCE.com:

Major League Eating announces today the creation of a new rule called the Mustard Yellow Card. The rule allows league officials and judges to formally caution a competitor if the official or judge feels said competitor is eating in a fashion that is so messy it impedes the ability to determine the amount of food consumed.

After one caution is given the judge has the right to disqualify the warned competitor if the competitor has not satisfactorily corrected his or her eating style.

While no formal definition need be given, messy eating can include food and debris on a competitor and in a competitor’s eating area and cups.

Thankfully, Sunday’s contest in Knoxville was straightforward with Tim “Eater X” Janus the clear winner with 63 Krystals.  Janus did break the previous Knoxville record of 49, which was set by Chip “Burger” Simpson last year.  Crazy Legs Conti finished second with 50 Krystals, just one burger short of what he needs to be a Wild Card contender.

For more details and information about this weekend’s contest, including photos and links to video news coverage, head over to the Krystal Square Off Blog.

Joey Chestnut remains at the top of the Major League Eating Eater's Poll for another month.

Krystal competitive eater Hall “Hoover” Hunt has posted the August edition of the Major League Eating Eater’s Poll.

Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi and Pat Bertoletti once again round out the top three respectively.

Humble Bob Shoudt, however, has jumped up two spots to claim the fourth position, probably due to his wins at Ash Creek and the Krystal Square Off Qualifier in Chattanooga.

Tim “Eater X” Janus moves down one spot this month to claim fifth.

You can check out the entire poll over on Hunt’s blog.

Also, don’t forget to follow Hunt this weekend as he goes head-to-head against the top-ranked female competitive eater in the world Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas at the Jacksonville Qualifier for the Krystal Square Off V.

Read more about this competitive eating match-up and listen to what both eaters have to say about this weekend’s competition over at the Krystal Square Off Blog.

And remember to sign up for live updates from the Krystal Square Off Tour via Twitter.