The Gambler Last Man Standing
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Event format and rules
The Gambler Last Man Standing is a lap-style running competition at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama on February 28, 2026, organized by The Running Birds. Competitors run repeated 2-mile loops. Each loop must be completed within a 40-minute limit; failure to do so results in elimination. Each completed lap earns a poker chip worth $1, up to 50 chips (100 miles). Competitors may choose to cash out at specified milestone laps; cashing out removes the runner from the competition and exchanges their chips for cash.
Cash-out eligible laps:
- 5 laps (10 miles)
- 10 laps (20 miles)
- 15 laps (30 miles)
- 20 laps (40 miles)
- 25 laps (50 miles)
- 30 laps (60 miles)
- 35 laps (70 miles)
- 40 laps (80 miles)
- 45 laps (90 miles)
- 50 laps (100 miles)
To be declared the last man standing, the final competitor must start and complete one final lap alone within the time limit. Age requirement: participants must be 19 or older. After 50 laps (100 miles) no more poker chips or cash-outs are allowed; lap time limits then decrease by two minutes per lap and pacers are no longer allowed.
Course, support, and logistics
The course is a clearly marked 2-mile loop, mostly on trails with short road sections and a portion beside a lake. Each loop has an elevation gain of 183 feet. The start/finish area provides space for crews, tents, and personal aid; runners may receive aid only in the start/finish area, not while on the course. Pacers are allowed only between 20 and 100 miles, with only one pacer at a time.
A full-service aid station will operate at the start/finish area each lap with snacks, fruit, and periodic hot food; this is a cup-less event, so runners must bring their own drinking containers. Lodging and camping options are available near the park. No refunds are offered; entries may be transferred or deferred. Awards and milestone items are given as follows: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- 7 laps (14 miles): custom finisher’s medal
- 14 laps (28 miles): custom T-shirt
- 25 laps (50 miles): custom 50-mile poker chip
- 50 laps (100 miles): custom 100-mile belt buckle and Last Man Standing cash bucket (starts at $200)