Loosen your belt and get your appetite ready for the return of stomach-centric sports to Chattanooga.

7 cities, including ours, will host qualifying rounds for the fifth Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.

The qualifying circuit, which pits amateur hopefuls against the world's best competitive eaters, kicks off in Chattanooga with an opening ceremony and eight-minute contest on Saturday August 23rd.  Instead of a two-minute drill to qualify as in years past, those hoping to reach the finals must sign-up and compete in an eight-minute heat this year.  "Day off at each contest, up to five locals can show up that ways its amateurs who have never eaten in a contest before and truly have a shot to go against the best," says Kenny Hammontree, Krystal's Marketing Promotions Manager.  Registration begins tomorrow at Noon.  You can sign up here.

The winner of each qualifier will be awarded a seat to the World Championship in downtown Chattanooga on September 28.  The Chamionship will be held at the waterfront, just like last year.  Three wild card spots will also be up for grabs among the top three non-winning eaters... and Joey Chestnut, who downed a record 103 Krystals in eight-minutes last year, gets an automatic invite.

Hammontree says former champ Takeru Kobayashi will be gunning to get his title back.  "He is our 3 time champion before last year, but he was injured last year and so he's undefeated and gunning for Joey and gunning for the new record and looks to eat well over 110 Krystals this year."

Brian and I will be in training for the next couple of weeks, so look out:

Here are the other locations where qualifying rounds will be held:

• Sept. 1 - Jacksonville, Fla.
• Sept. 6 - Atlanta, Ga.
• Sept. 13 - Nashville, Tenn.
• Sept. 14 - Knoxville, Tenn.
• Sept. 20 - Birmingham, Ala.
• Sept. 21 - Memphis, Tenn.