More Miami Valley residents than you think can or want to wolf down a 16-inch, 2 ½ pound Submarine House cheesesteak in 16 minutes or less for a shot at the Cheesesteak Champion title.

The number sure did stun Brody Danner, one of the Dayton-born chain’s franchise owners and operators.

“Last year along we had 700 people qualified. That doesn’t include the people who tried.” Brody said. “I didn’t know that many people could eat that much.”

Submarine House has launched its third annual Miami Valley Cheesesteak Champion. The contest is sponsored in part by K99.1 FM to benefit the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. Like Dayton Daily News, K99.1 is a Cox Media Group Ohio company.

Submarine House, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, has seven area locations and hopes to open its first restaurant outside of the Dayton area. The new store maybe located in Hilliard near Columbus.

The Super Duper Cheesesteak is a challege to say the least.

It sells for $19 and includes 1.5 pounds of meat, nearly a pound of cheese and lots of toppings.

“I couldn’t do it,” Brody said. “There is no way.”

Our Ken-Yon “Party” Hardy has taken on the challenge.

Let’s just say things didn’t go so well.

Ken-Yon is going to give it another try 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Vandalia Submarine House.

His stomach turning-experience shouldn’t dissuade others from tempting fate.

Submarine House is offering some pretty cool prices.

Besides bragging rights, the grand prize winner will appear in a commercial and receive his or her name on an over-sided wrestling-style belt, a free sub every month for a year and other prizes.

Until March 24, customers who successfully eat the triple meat and cheese sub will win their sandwich for free and a Super Duper Cheesesteak Challenge T-Shirt. Those with the top ten times from each location will win a spot in the semi finals the week of March 25. A store champion will be determined fastest time.

The seven store winners will battle for glory 1 p.m. April 6 at at the Beavercreek Bar & Grill located in the Kroger Shopping Center at Dayton-Xenia and North Fairfield.

K99.1’s Frye Guy and WHIO radio’s Larry Hansgen will be among celebrity panel to judges to judge the 2013 Cheesesteak Championship.

Customers will be encouraged to make donations to Dayton Children’s throughout the tournament to be eligible to win prizes, including a 50 inch Smart TV and Ohio State University football tickets.

Contact this columnist at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth