BETHESDA, Md. (WUSA) -- Six brave contestants competed in a cheeseburger-slider eating contest Tuesday afternoon.

BGR The Burger Joint in Bethesda held its first annual eating contest in honor of National Cheeseburger Day. The contestants had 10-minutes to eat as many sliders as possible.

Before the competition began each contestant was introduced to the onlookers. BGR employees brought out trays with dozens of cheeseburger-sliders and placed them in front of each competitor.

When given the green-light all six began shoving cheeseburger sliders in their mouths, some soaked the burgers in water to allow for easy swallowing.

When time was up, 24-year-old Mike "Munchin" Longo was named the winner after eating 17 sliders in the 10-minute time frame. He took home a $500 check and will compete in BGR's National Hamburger Eating Competition in May.

Longo, of Dumfries, Va., considers himself a professional eater, has competed in 40 eating challenges and won four national eating competitions.

Runner-ups:

• Tiran Hill, BGR General Manager of Silver Spring, ate 11
• Jonathan Henderson, of Greenbelt, ate 8
• Crystal Wicker, of Ft. Washington, finished 6
• Sam Greenberg, of Rockville, ate 5