The Gambler Last Man Standing
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Event format and rules
The Gambler is a lap-style last-man-standing competition held on a 2-mile loop. Each lap must be completed within 40 minutes; failure to do so results in elimination. For every completed lap a competitor earns a poker chip worth $1, up to 50 chips (100 miles). Competitors may cash out at specified milestone laps; cashing out removes the competitor from the event and exchanges chips for cash. To be declared the last man standing, a competitor must start and finish the final lap alone and within the time limit. Age requirement: participants must be 19 or older.
Cash-out milestone laps (chip value in parentheses)
- 5 laps - 10 miles ($5)
- 10 laps - 20 miles ($10)
- 15 laps - 30 miles ($15)
- 20 laps - 40 miles ($20)
- 25 laps - 50 miles ($25)
- 30 laps - 60 miles ($30)
- 35 laps - 70 miles ($35)
- 40 laps - 80 miles ($40)
- 45 laps - 90 miles ($45)
- 50 laps - 100 miles ($50)
After lap 50 (100 miles) competitors stop earning chips or cashing out. Pacers are allowed only between 20 and 100 miles; pacers are not allowed before 20 miles or after 100 miles. After 100 miles each lap time limit decreases by 2 minutes per lap until one runner remains.
Course, logistics and awards
The course is a clearly marked two-mile loop made up mostly of trails with a few short road sections and a portion beside a lake. Each loop has an elevation gain of 183 feet. The event takes place at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama; race day check-in is at the White Oak Pavilion (33.350094, -86.727491). There is parking and restroom access; park entry requires a $5 cash fee.
Aid is available at a full-service start/finish aid station each lap. The event is cup-less; competitors must bring their own cup or bottle. A headlamp is recommended for laps in low light. Awards and swag include a finisher medal at 14 miles (7 laps), a T-shirt at 28 miles (14 laps), a custom 50-mile poker chip at 25 laps, and a custom 100-mile belt buckle at 50 laps. The Last Man Standing Bucket starts at $200 and is awarded to the final solo finisher. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.