Jerseyan heading back to Nathan's competition

by The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk

Thursday June 26, 2008, 2:28 PM

Pat "from Moonachie" Philbin, New Jersey's most acclaimed competitive eater, is headed back to Coney Island next week for his fourth consecutive appearance at the Nathan's Famous 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Philbin, 44, downed 22 1/2 hot dogs in a 10-minute qualifying event in West Chester, Pa. this afternoon to earn his return trip. He barely won; the runner up ate 22.

George Olivar/APPat Philbin of Moonachie, N.J., left, and Don Lerman of Levittown, N.Y., competed in the New Jersey Regional competition of the Nathan's Famous 2006 Hot Dog Circuit. Philbin won after eating 22 hot dogs in 12 minutes.

"That means I'm going to the big show, which I have no hopes of winning," Philbin said. "But it's a fun time."

Philbin, whose personal record is 27 hot dogs, is a longshot at Coney Island because the reigning champ, Joey Chestnut, gobbled 66 hot dogs last year.