The Gambler Last Man Standing

The Gambler Last Man Standing - Pelham, Alabama

The Gambler Last Man Standing is a lap-format endurance event held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. The competition uses a 2-mile loop; each lap must be completed within 40 minutes to remain in the event. Each successful lap awards the competitor one poker chip worth one dollar, and a runner may collect up to 50 chips (100 miles).

At specific milestones runners may choose to exchange accumulated poker chips for cash or donate them to the Last Man Standing Bucket. Choices are binding and remove the runner from further competition. After 100 miles the rules change: no more poker chips, no cashing out, no pacers, and each subsequent lap’s time limit decreases by two minutes per lap.

To be declared the Last Man Standing a competitor must start and finish the final lap alone within the time limit. The Last Man Standing Bucket begins with $200 and is increased by donated or forfeited chips; if there is no last person remaining, those funds go to the organizer.

Additional details: all participants must be 19 or older; the course is mostly trail with some short road sections and about 183 feet elevation gain per 2-mile loop; a full-service aid station is available at the start/finish area each lap; the event is cup-less so runners must bring personal cups or bottles; headlamps are recommended for low light periods.

Distances and milestone awards: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

• Half Marathon: complete 7 laps (14 miles), custom finisher medal
• Marathon: complete 14 laps (28 miles), custom hoodie
• 50 Miles: complete 25 laps, custom 50-mile poker chip
• 100 Miles: complete 50 laps, custom 100-mile belt buckle
• Last Man Standing: winner receives Last Man Standing Bucket starting at $200