Large audiences have gathered in past years to see how may Reuben sandwiches amateurs and professional eaters can cram (it’s a fun, but inelegant sport) into themselves in the World Championship Reuben Eating Contest, but they’ve gotten the biggest kick out of the “Reuben Relay,” a sandwich-making relay race featuring children from the community who are learning early about the importance of supporting local charitable organizations. Among last year’s participants, the Westrick family, Ryan, Sami and Walter, constructed their sandwiches as they scampered through the obstacle course on Jefferson Street, in front of Pastrami Joe’s Deli. This year’s contest will be held July 18th at 4 p.m. The Westrick kids will be participating for the third time this year. Other youngsters interested in participating can still sign up at Pastrami Joe’s. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Fountain Clinic. This year’s biggest fund raiser will win a two-hour pool party at the Oaklawn Life Improvement Center. Prizes for fastest time in each group will include Bombers baseball tickets, ice cream and bowling. There are also two passes to Full Blast.

Ryan Hodges, one of the owners of Hodges Jewelry in downtown Marshall, took home all the heartburn last year as he won top honors among amateur eaters in the World Championship Reuben Eating Contest to raise money for Marshall’s Fountain Clinic. Hodges rests up for this year’s July 18th contest in an Adirondack chair made by local attorney John Sullivan to be raffled on the day of the event. Tickets for the raffle are available at Pastrami Joe’s Deli, as are canisters where fans may place donations for individual amateur eaters who will compete this year. Amateurs also have canisters where they work. This year’s event will also include a “Reuben Relay” for youngsters and, of course, a professional event featuring some of the nation’s premier eaters.