The Gambler Last Man Standing
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Event format
The Gambler is a lap-style competition at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. The course is a 2-mile loop. Each 2-mile lap must be completed in under 40 minutes; failure to do so results in elimination. Competitors earn one poker chip per completed lap; each chip represents $1. A competitor may accumulate up to 50 chips (100 miles). To be declared the last man standing, a runner must start and finish the final lap solo. All participants must be 19 or older.
Cash-out milestones (must complete the lap under 40 minutes to cash out)
- 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
Course and support
The marked course is mostly trails with a few short road sections and a portion beside a lake. Each 2-mile loop has an elevation gain of 183 feet. There is space at the start/finish area for crews, tents, and personal aid stations; runners may receive aid only in that area, not while on the course. A full-service aid station with food and hydration operates at the start/finish. This is a cup-less event; runners must bring their own cup or bottle.
Rules after 100 miles and pacing
After 50 laps (100 miles) competitors no longer earn poker chips and cannot cash out. Pacers are allowed only between 20 miles and 100 miles, with only one pacer on course with a runner at a time; pacers are not allowed for the first 20 miles or after 100 miles. Past lap 50, each subsequent lap’s time limit decreases by two minutes per lap until one runner remains.
Awards and prizes
Milestone awards include a custom finisher’s medal at 7 laps (14 miles), a custom T-shirt at 14 laps (28 miles), 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; the final winner receives the contents of that bucket, including accumulated chips and contributions from eliminated runners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
