Contestants came hungry to the first annual Alpha Phi sorority hot dog eating contest on Valentine’s Day.

Thirteen competitors representing different UK fraternities had a date with 145 hot dogs. Speed was the focus, as challengers had three minutes to devour as many hot dogs as they could.

Celebrating Alpha Phi’s Heart Throb week, the sorority organized a week of activities to raise money for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which spreads awareness for Women’s Cardiac Care.

The hot dog eating competition is one of eight events leading up to the group’s premier philanthropy event, Mac & Phis, on Friday, Feb. 16.

“We wanted to do something fun and different and decided that an eating competition was the perfect way to add some spice,” said Taylor McDaniels, Alpha Phi Philanthropy Chair.

The Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi initiated Heart Throb week in 2017 to support Women’s Hearth Health on campus.

The Alpha Phi house was packed on Wednesday night with many of the competitors’ fraternity brothers and Alpha Phi members cheering them on. A stack of hot dogs and a few cups of water were placed in front of each contestant.

When the signal was given, the support from the crowd took over the house. The battle among the opponents was fierce with strategies ranging from dipping the hot dogs in water to first eating the frankfurter followed by the bun. The mouthwatering contest ended in a three-way tie.

The participants agreed to a tie breaker featuring two additional minutes for downing more hot dogs. High energy filled the room and hearts thumped among cheering fans, as Christian Alvarez of Phi Delta Theta fraternity was crowned the champion after eating more than six hot dogs.

“Honestly, I didn’t prepare at all, I am just a fast eater,” Alvarez said. “I don’t think I will be eating a hot dog for another year and a half after this— I’m good.”

Alpha Phi sorority member Lexxi Post got to be up close and personal as she counted how many hot dogs were being eaten by one of the competitors.

“If I were to do this, I would prep by not eating all day so that I would be super hungry,” Post said.

With events lasting the rest of the week, Alpha Phi is hoping the Heart Throb week can be impactful.

“We are expecting to raise $5,000 from these events but of course would love to top that,” said Emilie Moorman, Alpha Phi Vice President of Community Relations. “The Alpha Phi Foundation has such a broad focus but the main goal is to spread awareness for Women’s Cardiac Care and raise scholarship money for women.”

Heart Throb week has raised more than $3,000 and 120 lives will be saved thanks to an Alpha Phi-sponsored blood drive event, sorority members announced at the event.