Burger-Eating Contest

Get a free burger after watching competitive eaters at Z-Burger White Marsh chow down on 23 burgers in 10 minutes at the store’s first Independence Burger Eating Championship.

The 15 contestants are vying for a first prize of $1,000 and $500 Z-Burger tokens. Cash and tokens also will be awarded to second- and third-place winners.

Spectators will receive a free single burger after the competition as well as other goodies.

The burger showdown starts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, pitting Canadian champion Pete “Furious Pete” Czerwinski against some serious challengers, including several Baltimoreans.

Go root for your favorite.