The finalists hold up their competing sneakers at the 39th annual National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest at Ripley's Believe It or Not in New York City on March 25, 2014. The Rotten Sneaker Contest began in 1974 as a promotion created by a Montpelier Vermont sporting goods owner who wanted to advertise a new line of athletic shoes. UPI/John Angelillo