Emma-Li Ames, a 20-year-old competitor, made history on November 20, 2025, by becoming the first winner of the Nenana Subway Challenge. In a remarkable feat, she consumed a three-foot Subway sandwich in just 29 minutes and 39 seconds, outpacing 15 previous challengers throughout the year.
Ames had attempted the contest once before in 2024 but fell short, missing the winning time by merely two minutes. Reflecting on her motivation to try again, she stated, “The honor of winning… I thought it would be cool to tell people I actually won.”
Strategies for Success
The rules of the Subway Challenge stipulate participants must create a sub with meat and various vegetables, with the option to substitute ingredients based on personal preference. Most importantly, they must finish chewing within the 30-minute time limit. To improve her chances, Ames made strategic adjustments this time around. “I didn’t touch water at all this time,” she explained, recognizing that hydration could limit her capacity. Opting for a different type of bread and rotisserie chicken instead of turkey, she aimed to avoid feeling full too quickly.
“I did provolone cheese last time, but it started to taste like feet,” she noted, opting for shredded Monterey Jack cheese this time. The final moments of the challenge were intense, as she struggled to finish. “If I don’t finish this, I have to pay for it,” she recalled, using that thought as motivation to complete the sandwich.
In addition to the recognition that comes with victory, Ames was rewarded with a $75 gift card for her achievement.
A Community Tradition
Competing alongside Ames was fellow participant Elder Goosetree, who managed to consume about half of the sandwich. “That’s where most people get to,” Ames commented, acknowledging the challenge’s difficulty. A graduate of West Valley High School, Ames plans to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks in January to study biology, with a focus on agriculture.
Her connection to Subway runs deep; she and her friends often enjoyed the sandwiches after workouts, and she has worked at Subway for several months. Reflecting on her first competition, she shared that it was a family affair, inspired by her father’s past participation in a burger-eating contest. “Our dad did a burger eating challenge at Rose’s Cafe,” she recounted, which earned him a spot on the restaurant’s wall in Healy.
Ames also offered some advice for future challengers: “They should try it. It’s worth trying at least once. Maybe even twice.”
The Nenana Subway, located at 102 Eigth St./Parks Highway in Nenana, opened in mid-2024 and continues to offer the Subway Challenge for those interested. Prospective participants can call 907-888-9824 to register for a chance to test their eating prowess.