Ten couples lock lips for chance to win diamond ring, hotel stay

Nothing says love on Valentine's Day like standing in a Round Lake Beach pawn shop and locking lips for hours and hours in hopes of winning a 1-carat diamond ring and a one-night stay at the Sybaris.

For the fourth Valentine's Day in a row, the Longest Lip Lock contest was hosted by Next Media, WIIL-FM and SuperPawn of Round Lake Beach. Ten couples started kissing at 6:30 a.m.

It seemed a simple task. But contestants said the back and foot pain, followed by hunger and thirst, made the event a true test of endurance.

Steve Erickson and Tasia Apolstolopoulos kissed for more than 13 hours to claim the victory.

More Coverage Video Longest Lip Lock contest

Apolstolopoulos said she was excited and amazed they were able to withstand the other competitors and come out the winner.

"I was just shocked by the whole thing," she said tired after the long day of standing with her lips pressed against Erickson.

She admitted she thought she was in trouble early on due to a 6-inch height difference between her and Erickson.

"His back was really hurting and he had to keep adjusting throughout the day," she said. "But we kept moving around and adjusting our feet and managed to survive till the end."

Competitor Phil Wett said his back was aching too.

"It's not that easy to do, standing in one place like that," he said. "I'm getting too old to do it."

To add insult to injury, Wett said he picked up a parking ticket courtesy of the Round Lake Beach police.

He said he parked his car illegally in the Route 83 lot but couldn't unlock his lips during the contest to move his vehicle.

Erickson and Apolstolopoulos will get "side stage" tickets to a Bon Jovi concert, the 1-carat ring, the Sybaris trip and dinner at a swanky Kenosha restaurant.

Couples also were offered concert tickets and other promotions over the course of the day to give up and break apart.

Last year, eight couples competed in the contest, which lasted 14 hours.