Lynda Kuerth – Trencherwoman of the disco era (Post #1000)
(This is the post with id # 1000. There are actually fewer posts available on this blog due to deletions and cancelations, but I thought it still deserved a more significant entry than just a one sentence post linking to another article.)
If you have a Guinness Book of World Records from the late 1970s or 80s, there are several pages devoted to eating records in it, and in that section, there is probably a picture of Olivet, Michigan native Lynda Kuerth standing over a plate of hot dogs at a contest at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in 1977. Ms. Kuerth won that event by eating 23 bunless hot dogs in 3 minutes and 10 seconds (at bottom of link). Her victory is mentioned in an article about Sharon Scholten, another female hot dog eating champion. This mark compares reasonably well with current eaters’ results. Humble Bob Shoudt ate 20 bunless hot dogs in 3 minutes and 40 seconds in his successful qualifying stunt for the the 2005 Wing Bowl. It is interesting that a female competitive eater surprised a Philadelphia stadium crowd over a quarter century before Sonya Thomas shocked Wing Bowl 12 spectators at Wachovia Center in 2004.
Lynda Kuerth showed that her talents extended to long duration events when she set the cheesesteak eating record at Jim’s Steaks in Philadelphia by eating 11 sandwiches in 90 minutes in 1978 or 1979. (I am not sure if this record still holds, but it lasted at least two decades if it has been broken. Her trips from Michigan to Philadelphia invalidate Don “Moses” Lerman’s claim that he is the first competitive eater to travel outside his or her home region for contests. Gregg Kirk wrote an article about Jerry Lehane III’s attempt to break Ms. Kuerth’s cheesesteak record (he finished with 7 sandwiches) around 2000 which is not available on the web. The last paragraph offers a description of Lynda and her feats:
In 1978, in an effort to generate publicity for his establishment, [Jim’s Steaks owner] Abner Silver decided to have an eating contest. One night on the news, he saw a human-interest story on Olivet, MI native Lynda Kuerth who had broken the Guiness Book of World Records title for banana split eating. After making a few phone calls to the television station, Abner got in touch with Lynda and agreed to fly her to Philly and give her a place to stay for the competition. That year, Lynda ate 10 1/2 steaks in an hour and a half, and later that year she appeared in Veteran’s Stadium and broke the Guiness Book of World Records in hot dog eating (without the bun). She ate 23 hot dogs in a minute and a half. The next year, she returned to Jim’s to break her own record by eating 11 steaks. No one has been able to come close since. Oh, and how big is Lynda, who now lives a quiet life in Michigan with a husband and two kids? “She was about five ft., eight and about 135 lbs.,” says Abner. “She had an amazing metabolism.”
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donmoseslerman said
August 16, 2006 @ 8:22 pm
this story sounds like a bunch of history revisionist bull shit and that’s all it is bullshit
Philly Guy said
August 16, 2006 @ 8:49 pm
The Jim’s record is at 13 now. Some 16 year old kid broke it and then did wing bowl the next year and got smoked.
Humble Bob said
August 16, 2006 @ 8:58 pm
Wow. Lynda Kuerth sure did a great job that day. That was the record that I was going for that day. I do not know how you figured that out. That is exactly why I picked the “20” hotdog stunt. I actually cooked up 23 and was going to eat them all if I was able to break her record. When I saw that I wasn’t going to get it, I just did the 20 and called it a day. I am suprised that you were able to pick up the other three hotdogs that I did not eat in the WIP video of my Wing Bowl stunt.
Most people subscribe to the wacky theory that I had the flu that day. That I did it on my way in to work. That I had 10 minutes to do the stunt so I did not care how fast I did it in as there was absolutely no benefit for me to do it any faster. . As you can tell, they believe this due to the fact that I showed no signs of straining whatsoever during the stunt. In fact, I did it so easy, they believe that is why I was given the nickname Humble Bob that day.
But you are right 100%. I faked all of that and was really going for the Philadelphia record. Dang, now everyone is going to know.
Philly Guy said
August 16, 2006 @ 11:06 pm
I asked my dad about it being he has season tickets forever and it turns out he was there and it is all legit.
donmoseslerman said
August 17, 2006 @ 2:40 am
I stand by what I said this story is b.s. , it never happened ,and i dont care what shills or stooges you have to come to your defence, its all b.s
donmoseslerman said
August 17, 2006 @ 2:56 am
this is don lerman again that picture is a super in posed picture its also a fraud oj rifkin this story is beneath you to post a phony story and picture
Mike M. said
August 17, 2006 @ 3:12 am
This story doesn’t sound right, that picture looks edited. Honestly, even if someone went on vacation to Michigan that doesnt count as traveling the country to do other contests (A challenge is not a contest). Moses Lerman was the pioneer of the modern eater, you guys should give him some credit. Eating became big in 2000. Booker & Hardy were just starting out in the Nathans, and Ed just started out in the Matzo Ball. Don Won the Matzo Ball and went to do the Nathans as the first cross-over among many other out of state contests (Jalepeno, first to qualify for the Wing Bowl, etc). Then Booker and Hardy decided to join Don and cross-over as well when they saw his success.
THE TRUTH HURTS said
August 17, 2006 @ 12:48 pm
MIke M it is easy to deduce that you are one of Lerman’s good buddies possibly an IFOCE mate.Most of the eaters he beat in the matzah balls were not big IFOCE names and who did he beat in Jalapenos besides a bunch of mexican refugees? Lerman is a selfish SOB that has one thing in mind and that is Don Lerman.
donmoseslerman said
August 17, 2006 @ 1:39 pm
I do not know Mike M that post was not from any buddy of mine , I take offense tho the remark Mexican refuges its bigoted and has no place on this or any site .
donmoseslerman said
August 17, 2006 @ 3:23 pm
this is don lerman again why dont yoy knock ed krachie acording to your way of thinking ”who did he beat, as for the matza ball contest I went against an array of big eaters that i would put up against anyone today inthe ifoce, my jalapeno wins speak for themselves 120 in 15 min.enough said.
THE TRUTH HURTS said
August 18, 2006 @ 2:12 am
To don lerman. Why bring krachie into this. He was a hot dog eater period! He did Nathans and really had no interest in eating any thing else competitively . He beat Mike Devito twice to get his title which is no chump change. I dont think you beating russell machover or bruce stock for a matzah title is anything to brag about . Those names do not hold a candle to a Mike Devito.
donmoseslerman said
August 18, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
this is don lerman speakingI saw krachie win nathans with 18 hdb ,so don;t sing his praise. as far as machover and stock I fell they are top noth eaters that I’D put up against anyone.. remember machov ercame inche sfrom beating booker in the gluttonbowl in the hard boiled eggs.krachie was given a bi to the 200 bens matzha ball contest he took all the pre contest publicity and then didnt even bother showing up for the final , I would have beat him anyway
Record Keeper said
August 18, 2006 @ 2:17 pm
lerman the only free “buy” krachie was given was the 2000 nathans finals only because devito pulled out and gave it to him at the shea’s request. He was given nothing of the sort for the bens contest. They gave krachie a whole lot of publicity before the contest which he didnt ask for and he basically ignored it and never showed. If the senility didnt set in yet to your brain i am almost sure you finished ahead of krachie in 2000 hot dog finals . He ate 15. It was a shot Ed Krachie but nevertheless i believe you beat him that day. You did not beat an ed jarvis, eric booker & hardy to win your matzah ball title and those my friend were heavy hitters.
donmoseslerman said
August 18, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
your wrong ed krachie was given a bi by Ronnie dragoon get your facts straight before you open your mouth. the day that I was defending my title I had pnuenonia and onthe way to the contest I fell and broke my left index finger , why don’t you use your real name by the way I also beat JARVIS and BOOKER at 2001 nathans final
donmoseslerman said
August 18, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
oh buy the way i sav edthe program from the bens 2000 matzah ball contest it bears out what i said about krachie getting a by
the boy king said
August 18, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
Don, if you slow down and type better people will listen to what you have to say.
Use punctuation, please.
I think people just like to egg you on because you never know what is going to make it from your brain and the keyboard.
I’ll fix it up for you.
“You are wrong. Ed Krachie was given a bye by (Ben’s Owner) Ronnie Dragoon. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth. The day that I was defending my title I had pneumonia, and on the way to the contest I fell and broke my left index finger.
Why don’t your use your real name?
By the way, I also beat Jarvis and Booker at (the) 2001 Nathan’s final.”
Now, doesn’t that read a little easier, as well as sound like it came from an semi-educated human being?
The name comment really broke up your flow. It really came out of left field. The index finger comment was also off subject.
donmoseslerman said
August 18, 2006 @ 6:54 pm
T his is Don Lerman . I didn;t know when post something on this site that I was going to be graded ,when I was in school Ill have you know that ENGLISH was my best subject .next to ceramics and wood shop
Mr Wright said
August 20, 2006 @ 7:41 pm
Boy King, by correcting Lermans punctuality and his so called rush to judgement in posting before thinking, you are essentially making him out to be a child or somewhat of a retard. I think by addressing that comment on this site you seem to have taken pleasure in giving yourself an audience. I have no problem with that but maybe it would have been a better choice to email him personally with your friendly advice
the boy king said
August 21, 2006 @ 8:15 am
Not how it was intended at all.
Don Lerman was one of the best eaters of all time.
But he ranting, raving and incoherent posts have lessened his legacy. I wish him the best with Jalapeno (and all other food stuffs) and hope that in future posts he will simply take my advice.
I apologize if it was not the correct manner in which to present such advice.
Good Luck, Don!!!
Kick ASS in Jalpenos
INSPECTOR VON SHHTINK said
August 21, 2006 @ 1:55 pm
This might be a harder case to crack than Jon Benet Ramsey but i have a sneaking suspicion the boy king is either crazy legs conti or andrew lane
Rhonda Evans said
August 21, 2006 @ 3:26 pm
Inspector I believe you need a bigger magnifying glass.
Andrew "Skinnyboy" Lane said
August 21, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
I can say with 100% certainty that the boy king is not Andrew Lane.
OFFICER NOODLE said
August 21, 2006 @ 4:22 pm
Well inspector another fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into. Skinny boy is not boy king . How do you like that
INSPSECTOR VON SHHTINK said
August 21, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
ill get to the bottom of this sooner or later. They dont call me Von shhhtink for nothing
THE TRUTH HURTS said
August 21, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
This is getting totally ridiculous. We have enough problems trying to figure out who OJ rifkin is . Now we have the obnoxious and irritating boyking to worry about. He claims he was at the pizza contest and then in another instance he says he is a new IFOCE member or new eater that was once mentioned in BB 2004 bits& pieces. We as true americans feel that he is an established IFOCE member and trying to throw us off by telling us that he is a relative newcomer in the organization. He also mentioned that he was invited to the aug 12 contest but declined. Invited? He must be some incredible talent to be invited anywhere. Boy king, every one of your comments will be carefully observed and scrutinized. including spelling patterns Do not slip up or your identity will easily be revealed.
Anonymous said
August 21, 2006 @ 9:49 pm
Whatever it is that is going on, so let it be. Don, please, we know what you have done in the past and recently with ice cream, very nice, but chill with this matzo ball crap. Damn, why don’t you just host one and invite all the eaters to join it and settle all frustrations out at once. This is Don moses lerman this and this is don moses lerman that….and back in the days, jarvis, krachie, hardy, blah blah, those days are over, get over it. The new eaters are on a rampage, and they can break all your records in hearbeat if they want. get over it. You have proved that you are good eater and still are one, but chill.
Ed Charles said
August 21, 2006 @ 10:29 pm
A very good point well made by anonymous. Noone cares about who he beat in 2001. These young kids will stampede all the old records and put the old farts to shame. They should have an old timers day and just have the old eaters compete against one another and more than likely jarvis will come out on top. I think Brian’s video ‘back home’ might have done more bad than good because Lerman is more wound up than ever since it was posted. This is don moses lerman this and this is don moses lerman that and my god i think im going insane!
Tom Satriano said
August 21, 2006 @ 10:36 pm
Lerman before you go to New mexico rent out the movie MR 3000 with bernie mac . That movie is all about your situation with old school and new school
Anonymous said
August 21, 2006 @ 11:51 pm
Ed Charles, very true. Don Lerman, i have never met, but he seems like a nice guy. Like I said, with all this talk of old. That’s cool and all, but in reality, once again, the new eaters of 2005 and 2006 are fierce and will only get better. It would be great to see these eaters have like a boxing thing going on. Like a one on one heads up contests, like a tv show with all kinds of foods or past contests. I remember The Sicilian mentioning this to me recently, I think it would hold up well.
Don, I hope you do well in New Mexico. You have Pat, the Locust, Erik the REd and i dunno who else to face. So you do have a shot at some money, but i don’t think you can beat the Locust or Pat, unless of course one of the eaters gets sick or has a devasting reverse of fortune happens. But i doubt that.
OFFICER NOODLE said
August 22, 2006 @ 1:09 pm
Reports have come in that boy king might be andrew lane. However Lane deserves a fair trial like anyone else and he is innocent until proven guilty . He is not charged with anything yet. These are just reports and nothing is confirmed
Agent Forty-Four said
August 22, 2006 @ 2:01 pm
Until the Mystery of The Boy King (or the Secret of the Howling Cave for that matter) is resolved, it’s probably better if Andrew Lane didnt leave town. I’m calling in Nancy Drew on this one…Liz? Krista?
THE TRUTH HURTS said
August 23, 2006 @ 1:38 am
Agent 44 were you ever on Get Smart?
Agent Forty-Four said
August 23, 2006 @ 9:00 am
Dont change the subject Truth. Until I find The Boy King in the Drawing Room with the Lead Pipe, everyone is under suspicion.
Guy Barnum said
January 20, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
donmoseslerman said,
August 16, 2006 @ 8:22 pm
this story sounds like a bunch of history revisionist bull shit and that’s all it is bullshit
Well Don sorry to have to inform you that you are a complete idiot with your revisionist conspiracy theories. You see Lynda Kuerth is my cousin (Mom’s side of the family, lots of Kuerths in MI), I was there at her wedding day and she is a cutie – just like in the real picture posted on this blog.
Why don’t you get over yourself and have a little fun with the quirky things people have done in the past?
Guy
Todd Yeates said (Registered December 5, 2006)
January 20, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Wow Don! You got people going back in time, trying to knock you. I’d be flattered. This circus guy might need a calendar for his big top. Come one, Come all…….to the year 2007!
record keeper said
January 20, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
Anonymous said,
August 21, 2006 @ 9:49 pm
Whatever it is that is going on, so let it be. Don, please, we know what you have done in the past and recently with ice cream, very nice, but chill with this matzo ball crap. Damn, why don’t you just host one and invite all the eaters to join it and settle all frustrations out at once. This is Don moses lerman this and this is don moses lerman that….and back in the days, jarvis, krachie, hardy, blah blah, those days are over, get over it. The new eaters are on a rampage, and they can break all your records in hearbeat if they want. get over it. You have proved that you are good eater and still are one, but chill.
ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)
January 20, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
Guy
Thanks for your response. I hope Lynda is doing well. It is very impressive that she has the #3 and #4 all time performances in the 90 minute cheesesteak challenge at Jim’s Steaks 30 years after.
Here’s a recent article about Bob Shoudt setting the new Jim’s Steaks record which mentions Lynda’s 1977 record:
http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_004085919.html
record keeper said
January 20, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
IF THEY EVER DO A BEST OF EATFEATS. THIS COMMENT BY BOYKING RANKS AS ONE OF THE MOST HILARIOUS
the boy king said,
August 18, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
Don, if you slow down and type better people will listen to what you have to say.
Use punctuation, please.
I think people just like to egg you on because you never know what is going to make it from your brain and the keyboard.
I’ll fix it up for you.
“You are wrong. Ed Krachie was given a bye by (Ben’s Owner) Ronnie Dragoon. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth. The day that I was defending my title I had pneumonia, and on the way to the contest I fell and broke my left index finger.
Why don’t your use your real name?
By the way, I also beat Jarvis and Booker at (the) 2001 Nathan’s final.â€
Now, doesn’t that read a little easier, as well as sound like it came from an semi-educated human being?
The name comment really broke up your flow. It really came out of left field. The index finger comment was also off subject.
Todd Yeates said (Registered December 5, 2006)
January 20, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
albert einstein said,
August 24th, 1950 @ 7:35pm
“Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds”
That’s for the record!
emily said
February 21, 2010 @ 1:18 am
Love browsing this blog, I usually learn something new facts.
Emily Randall from Husky Training.net