The Gambler Last Man Standing
Pelham, United States • 28 Feb 2026
Event format and rules
The Gambler Last Man Standing is a lap-style competition held by The Running Birds. Each lap is a 2-mile loop that must be completed within 40 minutes to remain in the competition. Every completed lap earns a poker chip worth $1; competitors may collect up to 50 chips (100 miles). Competitors may choose to "cash out" at set milestone laps by turning in chips and leaving the event; cash-out is final. To be declared the last man standing, a competitor must start and complete the final lap alone. All participants must be at least 19 years old.
After lap 50 (100 miles) the rules change: no more poker chips, no cash-outs, no pacers, and each subsequent lap’s time limit decreases by 2 minutes. Pacers are allowed only between 20 and 100 miles and only one pacer may be on course with a runner at a time. All runners must start each lap together at the official start.
Course, logistics, aid, and awards
The course is a clearly marked two-mile loop at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama, mostly on trails with some short road sections and a lakeside portion. Each loop has 183 feet of elevation gain. The start/finish area provides space for tents and personal aid stations; crews may assist only in that area, not on the course.
A full-service aid station will operate at the start/finish area each lap. This is a cup-less event; runners must bring their own cups or bottles. Park entry requires a $5 cash fee. Key awards and milestone swag include: 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
- Last Man Standing Bucket starts at $200 and is awarded to the final winner.