LeFevre With Harrah's Rib Win

The first annual Harrah’s Cherokee Rib Eating Contest title was accompanied by a hefty $5,000 in prize money broken down as follows: $2,000 for first place; $1,500 for second place; $1,000 for third place; $500 for fourth place.

Tensions ran high when two-minute runoffs were needed after the initial 12-minute contest to determine who would finish in the money.

Rich "The Locust" LeFevre took first place after a runoff off against Rookie of the Year Tim "Eater X" Janus. In the main event both tied with 3.75 lbs. of ribs. LeFevre took the title and $2,000 first place prize by eating a total of 4.81 lbs. of ribs in 14 minutes. Eater X downed 4.31 lbs. for second place.

Dale Boone took home third with 2.25 lbs. of ribs in 12 minutes, and newcomer Larry McNeill of Georgia edged out Crazy Legs Conti in a runoff for fourth.

Harrah’s Cherokee is recognized as one of the premiere resorts in the Carolina area, and features an 80,000 square foot casino floor. It’s located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. The casino opened in November 1997, and has opened two 15-story hotel towers since 2002. The casino also has a 1500 seat Pavilion featuring headliner entertainment, and four delicious restaurants.