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Cheesesteak eaters ready to rumble on Judgment Day

On Saturday, expect a great lifting up and incredible rumbling.

On Saturday, expect a great lifting up and incredible rumbling.

Super-quake freeing corpses to rise to Heaven as the world clocks out that evening, as some are predicting?

No, we're talking lifting cheesesteaks and rumbling digestive systems - as well as roller coasters - as world-class eaters chow down on Subway sandwiches in the afternoon at Dorney Park.

Last year, the contest's first, the world's top-ranked eater, Joey Chestnut, consumed 19 six-inch segments - 9.5 feet - to set the world Philly cheesesteak eating record, according to the Major League Eating association.

Purists might quibble about Subway counting as "Philly."

Among those taking Chestnut on will be the runnerup from Royersford, Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt, who ate 8 feet last year; Eric "Steakbellie" Livingston and Micah "Wing Kong" Collins, both of Drexel Hill; Sean "Flash" Gordon of Downingtown; and Brian "Dud Light" Dudzinski of Phoenixville.

Maybe a looming apocalypse will help, quipped Shoudt, the world's third-ranked professional eater.

No need to worry about all the calories, he said.

He hopes his share of the $3,000 purse is paid in cash, in case there's no time left for checks to clear.

Totals could improve thanks to last year's experience. Eaters generally have two styles, Shoudt explained. Chestnut, for example, usually keeps his mouth stuffed and corkscrews in more food, while others, like Shoudt, prefer to swallow and clear the mouth before eating more.

Dunking food in water, to reduce the roll to mush, is forbidden at this event, said the IT supervisor, who's a married father of three.

Shoudt has another reason to be inspired:

"For me, it's going to be my big event of the year, just because my family can be there."

Afterward, he'll do some rides with his kids.

Nausea's not his major medical worry.

"I think it's going to be a great day at the park, unless you're behind me on the coaster," he said. "There could be some issues for those people."