EAU CLAIRE — The 45th annual International Cherry Pit Spit will be hosted by Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm July 7.

The competition was first held in 1974 and marks the beginning of the tart cherry harvest season in southwest Michigan.

Tree-Mendus owner Herb Teichman was searching for something to do with the cherry pits. What started out as a neighborhood competition has turned into a truly international event.

The Guinness Book of World Records even recognizes the championship as an official competition.

“Cherry pit spitting is a nutritious sport,” Teichman said. “It’s the most entertaining way to dispose of the pit after you’ve eaten the cherry.”

Competition will begin at 10 a.m. July 7 with the qualifying rounds.

The dignitaries competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with the youth competition in three ages divisions ranging from 5 to 12 to following at 1:15 p.m.

The women’s competition will get under way at 1:45 p.m. with the Championship Spit-off slated to start at 2 p.m.

Last year, Rick “Pellet Gun” Krause, of Sanders, Arizona, captured his 17th overall championship with a spit of 57-11.

Paul Marek of Traverse City was the runner-up with a spit of 40-3.5.

Marlene “Machine Gun” Krause also took home a championship as she won the women’s division with a spit of 39-4.5. It was her eighth championship.

Niles’ Danielle Flenar was the runner-up with a spit of 36-7.

INTERNATIONAL CHERRY

PIT SPIT

At Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm,

Eau Claire

Final standings

Championship

Rick “Pellet Gun” Krause, Sanders, AZ – 57-11

Paul Marek, Traverse City – 40-3.5

Women’s Division

Marlene Krause, Sander, AZ – 39-4.5

Danielle Flenar, Niles – 36-7

Youth 9-12

Reid Gillis, 11, Granger, Ind. – 23-7.5

Keziah Metz, 11, Sodus – 22-8

Youth 6-8

Alex Marek, 8, Traverse City – 20-9

Hope Hester, 7, Coloma – 15-7-.5

Youth 5 & Under

Austin Marek, 5, Traverse City – 11-6.5

Lulu Jones, 4, St. Joseph – 7-0

Dignitary

Fire Chief Norm Carl Jr., Eau Claire – 29- 1.5

The honorable Sterling Schrock,

St. Joseph – 26-6

Sheriff Paul Bailey, Berrien Center – 22-11