Contestant earns fourth victory in burrito-eating contest

LACONIA — Burrito Me held their annual burrito-eating contest on Thursday afternoon, part of the 101st Laconia Motorcycle Week. Eric Olson from Athol, Massachusetts, won first place, competing against five other people to win $100.

“I feel like I'm gonna vomit. I've never felt really bad afterwards. Usually, I'm fine. Right now, my belly hurts,” Olson said. “I think I drink too much water.”

This is Olson’s sixth year competing in the contest, held in the restaurant's outdoor seating area. Including this year’s win, he’s earned first place four times, and second place twice. While Olson comes up to Laconia every year for Motorcycle Week, he makes sure to attend during the contest. He uses his winnings for travel expenses like food and gas on his trip.

Olson also gave a shoutout to previous reigning champ "Big John," who stopped participating due to health reasons.

“He's my inspiration,” said Olson. “Him and Joey Chestnut.”

Mike “MF” Farrell, who grew up in Boston and now lives in Daytona Beach, Florida, came in a close second. Farrell said his nickname stands for “Mostly Friendly.” Farrell competed last year and lost to Olson, only to lose to him again this year. But despite light competitive spirit, Farrell was happy to participate.

“When I looked over, I saw what [Olson] had left. I think it brought me down just enough where he could win. I think I could have won. But that's OK. Next year,” he said. “I'll give it my best again. And I had fun. It’s not about winning and losing all the time. It's about participating. It's about doing your very best.”

Burrito Me hosts three Motorcycle Week events down at the Laconia Historic Train Station where the business is nestled. The Custom Bike Show, the Slow Race and MC Rodeo Games and the burrito-eating competition. The competition is in its 13th year, excluding 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Burrito Me owner Ruben Bassett said he's happy to put these events on.

“It's fun. People like it,” Bassett said. “It’s good to watch and it brings people downtown.”