What is a Last Man Standing Event

This is an out n back course 4.16666 miles in total length. You'll run one loop, every hour, on the hour. You must repeat this again and again each hour. If you fail to answer the bell or do not complete the loop in the time provided, you are out. This process will continue until there is only on runner left. Then the last runner must complete one more full loop to be declared the winner. Prize money will be awarded to the winner.

About

This Last Man Standing format is inspired/created by none other than Lazarus Lake. After competing twice in his event Big's Backyard Ultra, I want to bring this format to more runners. In the true spirit of Laz's original idea, there will only be two options. There can either be a single winner, or no winner at all. There will be no max number of hours to cutoff. There will be no tie-breakers. The race will continue until everyone quits, save one runner. That runner must then complete one more full loop to be declared the winner. If the last runner on the final loop does not make the loop in 1 hour, he or she will not be declared the winner. This is a USATF sanctioned event. At 3 minutes before the top of the hour a whistle will sound 3 times to notify the runners of the impending start. At 2 minutes, 2 blows of the whistle. At 1 minute the whistle will blow 1 time. All runners are then required to make their way into the start corral which will be spray painted on the ground. At the exact top of the hour, a bell will be rung to start the runners. At the sound of the bell, any runner who does not have both feet absolutely inside the start corral will be disqualified from continuing. The runners will have 1 hour to complete the 4.1666 mile out n back course, passing over the far timing mat and returning to the start line. Any runner who fails to complete the route in the allocated time, will be disqualified from continuing. We will repeat the process of whistle blowing and bell ringing as stated above every hour. Every runner who wants to continue to compete must complete this course every hour. If you fail to answer the bell for any reason, you are no longer eligible to compete and may not re-enter the course. This course consists of approx 2.75555 miles of gravel road and approx. 1.31111 miles of paved road. These roads are rural county roads and they will not be closed. There will be a dust hazard at times on the gravel road, however the roads are lightly traveled. The most redeeming feature of this course is that there is almost no shade whatsoever. Extreme levels of heat and humidity will be encountered through the duration of this event. Please familiarize yourself with how to manage these types of conditions while running. Previous ultra-marathon running experience is highly recommend.

Rules

No runner may receive aid outside of the general start/finish area.
Runners are responsible for their own aid.
Race management will provide well water from the water spigot.
Race management may provide electrolyte drink and ice water.
Race management will provide 10lbs bags of ice limit 3 per runner.
Race management will provide latrines for runner use.
Crews are allowed.
You may set up a small space near the start finish for providing your aid.
No pacers are allowed.
No comps or free entries will be provided.
No special slots will be reserved. First come, first served sign up.
No refunds will be offered for any reason.
A wait list will be maintained.
Participants must be 18 years old or older at time of race start.
No "cooling vests" or similar devices may be worn.
Buffs or bandannas with ice are approved.
All participants are expected to conduct themselves as noble sports persons.
No pets of any type will be allowed at the race venue or on the course.
All race director decisions are final.
All medical staff decisions regarding ability to continue are final.
All racers must sign venue waiver and race waiver.
All crew / spectators must sign a venue waiver.
No ground/campfires will be permitted for any reason.
The use of umbrellas or umbrella-like devices are not authorized.

Special Incentives

We will pay out $500.00 to the winner, regardless of how many sign up or start, if the race lasts less than 24 hours. If the race lasts at least 24 hours, and has less than 25 starting runners we will pay the winner $1000.00. If the race has 25 or more runners, and lasts 24 hours or more, then we will pay (number of starters * registration fee) * .333333 = Payout to the Winner. The max payout will not exceed, $1999.00.

What does the 24 hours mean:

This means that there must be at least 2 runners starting loop 23. If the second runner fails to complete loop 23 or does not start loop 24 then the last runner would start and complete loop 24, wholly run as a single authorized runner, and upon proper completion they will be declared the winner and be eligible for the prize money. Please note that the final runner may not run more than one loop unopposed to reach the 24 loop completion minimum and be eligible for prize money. If it should be the case, that loop 23 is the last loop run by the last runner in the field because on loop 22 the runner or runners who started loop 22 did not complete or refuse to start loop 23, then there will be no prize money awarded because the last runner was not able to meet the 24 hour minimum. It is still the case that to be declared the winner, the last runner must run one full loop unopposed whether it be loop 23 or 43. Whether the runner could physically run 2 or more unopposed loops or not, it is of no importance. He or she is only allowed to run one final loop unopposed and then the race is over.
Money rounds will be conducted at race management discretion.

As we are inclined we will will offer separate prize money on a per round basis for "fastest loop" , "slowest loop" or any crazy idea we can come up with.