Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2013 TV Schedule: When and Where to Watch

While the Fourth of July is one of the most revered holidays on the calendar because of its deep patriotic roots and historical relevance, the date has become synonymous with the premier eating competition in the world; the 2013 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The national audience has grown exponentially over the years, and with the help of the ESPN network of channels, this year’s Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is shaping up to be the biggest of all time.

While you are enjoying the day off and getting ready to start your own cookout, be sure to catch this amazing test of intestinal fortitude and mental strength.

If this competition doesn’t make you want to eat a hot dog, nothing will.

When: Thursday, July 4

Time: Women's Championship, 11:30 a.m. ET; Men's Championship, 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Coney Island

Watch: ESPN 2 (Live at 12 p.m. ET), ESPN (tape delay at 1 p.m. ET)

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

More Details: Major League Eating’s Official Website

Eating Superstars to Watch on July 4th

Joey Chestnut Goes For Seven Titles in a Row

Competitive eating fans are witnessing another chapter in the reign of the greatest champion the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has ever seen every time Joey Chestnut makes his way onto the stage in Coney Island.

The American star brought the mustard-yellow championship belt back to the United States, and every July 4, Chestnut embodies the domination of our nation in the field of gorging ourselves with food.

No country in the world can hold a candle to our gluttony.

Chestnut tied his own record by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes last year, but with the nation behind him and the field being as tough as it has ever been, the American sensation will look to break his own record once again.

Sonya Thomas Looks to Go Three-for-Three

After introducing the women’s division to the competition two years ago, the event has been utterly dominated by competitive eating legend Sonya Thomas.

At just 5'0" tall and around 100 pounds, the small athlete packs a big stomach.

Thomas has taken the first two Pepto Bismol pink championship belts and set world records each time, eating 45 hot dogs and buns in 2012 to break her own record and set the bar high for the competition.

While every year the field gets tougher and tougher, Thomas has remained in amazing shape for these competitions and looks to be in the prime of her Major League Eating career.

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