PETA clearly believes the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is the wurst ... as it tells TMZ Sports it's planning to crash the annual shindig this week in an effort to sway people from partaking in the glizzy engorgement.
A spokesperson for the animal rights org. says PETA mascots -- including Tommy Tofu and "his PETA pals" -- will be outside of the event at Nathan's Famous in Brooklyn on Friday afternoon in the hopes of deterring fans from eating tube steaks.
We're told they'll be handing out vegan hot dogs .