Race Description
I know what you’re thinking… Oh great, another last man standing (spoken sarcastically). Actually, The Gambler is the exact opposite of your classic last man standing. It is a completely new twist on the format. We, The Running Birds, take pride in creating unique running events and experiences. The Gambler is truly one-of-a-kind and like no other.
This race is a lap-style competition. The lap is a 2-mile loop. Each 2-mile loop must be completed in under 40 minutes. The next lap starts as soon as the 40-minute time frame is up. If you fail to complete the 2-mile loop in under 40 minutes, you will be eliminated from the competition. This format will continue until there is only one competitor left, the last man standing. However, at 100 miles, the rules change. This will be addressed shortly.
So, why is it called The Gambler? It’s because you’re betting, or gambling, on yourself. This is the premise of the entire competition.
Every time you successfully complete a lap within the time limit, you earn a poker chip. Each poker chip represents $1 of actual cash money. Every competitor takes the poker chip and places it in their designated bucket. You can accumulate up to 50 poker chips (100 miles).
As the competition continues, there will be certain milestones that you will be able to “cash out” your poker chips. You can cash out at the end of the following laps:
• 5 - (10 miles)
• 10 - (20 miles)
• 15 - (30 miles)
• 20 - (40 miles)
• 25 - (50 miles)
• 30 - (60 miles)
• 35 - (70 miles)
• 40 - (80 miles)
• 45 - (90 miles)
• 50 - (100 miles)
To cash out, you must successfully complete that lap in under 40 minutes. If at any time you decide to cash out, bring your poker chips to the “House” and exchange them for cash money. Once the decision is made to cash out, it cannot be reversed, and you are removed from the competition. For example:
• If you complete lap 30 (60 miles) and decide you’re no longer going to “gamble” on yourself, take your poker chips to the House and exchange them for $30 cash money. You are now eliminated from the competition.
• In this example, if you gamble on yourself and continue past lap 30 but then fail to complete lap 33 under the 40-minute time limit, you are eliminated from the competition and cannot cash out. The poker chips you’ve accumulated to that point go into the “Last Man Standing Bucket”. This money will be awarded to the last person standing in the race, if there is one. (See below for rules regarding the last man standing.)
Event Rules
• Starting Laps: All competitors must start each lap of The Gambler together. No runner can start the next lap until the official start time is given. We’ll keep you motivated and on track with announcements and countdowns.
• Last Man Standing: To be considered the last man standing, you must start your last lap solo (by yourself). You must also complete that lap within the time limit solo (by yourself). For example:
o Only 2 runners remain in the competition and start lap 47 together. 1 of the 2 runners does not complete the lap within the time frame and gets eliminated from the competition. This leaves only one runner remaining in the competition. This runner is not the last man standing by default because the other runner got eliminated. The last runner remaining must start lap 48 solo and finish the lap solo within the time frame. Once the final, solo lap is successfully completed, the runner is crowned the last man standing and wins the Last Man Standing Bucket.
o In the example above, if the final runner starting lap 48 does not make it within the time frame and gets eliminated, there is no last man standing at The Gambler. The money from the Last Man Standing Bucket goes to the House.
• Age Requirement: All participants must be 19 or older.
Rule Changes After 100 Miles (Lap 51 and beyond)
Once you reach lap 50 (100 miles), the rules change:
• No more poker chips: You can no longer earn poker chips.
• No more "cashing-out": You cannot cash out after lap 50.
• No pacers: Pacers are not allowed after lap 50.
• Decreasing Time Limits: Each lap’s time limit will drop by 2 minutes. For example:
o Lap 51: 38-minute time limit
o Lap 52: 36-minute time limit
o Lap 53: 34-minute time limit
o This format continues until only one runner remains.
IMPORTANT: If you choose to continue past lap 50, you’re gambling on yourself to win the Last Man Standing Bucket. If you fail, you lose the money you could have cashed out, and it goes to the Last Man Standing Bucket.
• Key Points:
• Complete each 2-mile lap in under 40 minutes or you’re out.
• Accumulate poker chips with every lap. You can cash out at certain milestones.
• Gamble on yourself to continue in the race. But, if you fail, your chips go into the Last Man Standing Bucket.
• The last person standing wins everything in the Last Man Standing Bucket, but you must finish the final lap solo.
Awards, Swag
As you reach certain milestones, you will earn the following top-notch swag and awards:
• Half-Marathon (13.1 miles): Complete 7 laps (14 miles), you will be considered an official finisher and receive a custom finisher’s medal.
• Marathon (26.2 miles): Complete 14 laps (28 miles), you will receive a custom T-shirt.
• 50 Miles: Complete 25 laps, you will receive a custom 50-mile poker chip.
• 100 Miles: Complete 50 laps, you will receive a custom 100-mile belt buckle.
• Last Man Standing: The Last Man Standing Bucket will start with $200 at the beginning of the competition. Upon being crowned the winner, you will take home all the money in the Last Man Standing Bucket to include the poker chips you’ve earned and any contributions from eliminated runners. The Last Man Standing Bucket will be awarded to the last man standing regardless of the total mileage completed.
Race Course
• The course is a two-mile loop which will be clearly marked. The course consists of mostly trails with a couple of short sections of road surfaces. A portion of the trail follows beside a lake which provides the perfect backdrop for ultra running. The course has an elevation gain of 183 feet for each 2-mile loop.
Racer Setup, Crewing, & Pacing
• There will be plenty of space in the start/finish area for racers and their crews to set up tents and/or personal aid stations. Runners may receive whatever aid is necessary while in between laps in the start/finish area. However, runners may not receive any aid or assistance from their crew members while running on the course.
• As far as pacers are concerned, every competitor is allowed to have one pacer with them on the course. There can be multiple pacers but only one pacer at a time with the runner. However, pacers are not allowed for the first 20 miles (10 laps) or after 100 miles (50 laps). Pacers will only be allowed on the course between the 20-mile and 100-mile marks.
Race Location and Check-In
• The Gambler will be held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. There is no early check-in for this competition. Race day check-in will be at the White Oak Pavilion (33.350094, -86.727491). Put these GPS coordinates in your phone and it will take straight to the start/finish line. There will be plenty of parking and access to restrooms. As you enter the park, be prepared to pay the $5 cash to enter the state park.
• Competitor check-in will be from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. Competitors will earn awards/swag as the competition continues throughout the day and night. Make sure you bring your photo ID for positive identification.
• A pre-race briefing will take place at 6:30 AM. The competition begins at 7:00 AM sharp.
Gear Considerations
• The average temperatures in February are a high of 56 and low of 37. However, this is Alabama and could vary significantly so be prepared for any type of weather, including rain. This will be a rain or shine event.
• Also, bring a headlamp for the course. A significant number of the laps will be in low light/darkness.
Aid Stations
• We will provide a full-service aid station with food and hydration for the runners throughout the competition. This aid station will be located at the start/finish line area so runners will be able to access it every lap.
• We will offer typical aid station food including various light snacks and fruit. Hot food options will also be provided at certain times throughout the event. With that said, we encourage every competitor to provide his/her own aid if you desire certain types of food and hydration.
• This is a cup-less event. You must bring your own cups and/or water bottles for your food and hydration.
Lodging/Camping
• There are numerous hotels near the entrance to Oak Mountain State Park. The closest hotels are near Interstate 65 and Highway 119 at exit 246.
• Oak Mountain State Park offers rental cabins and camping at their campground. Contact them at (205) 620-2527 or make reservations at
https://reserve.alapark.com/oak-mountain.
Refunds
• We understand things happen in training and in life itself. However, no refunds will be given to any runner for this competition. In the event you can find another runner to take your spot, you can transfer your entry to them. Just email us and we will make sure to get them registered using your entry fee. You can also defer your registration to next year’s event.
Contact Us
• If you have any questions, feel free to email us at
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• Follow us on Facebook @ The Running Birds,
https://www.facebook.com/runningbirds11, to keep up with all our other events!
So… Will you gamble on yourself?
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