If You're Not First You're Last

If You're Not First You're Last is a trail event put on by Pulse Running in Eagle, Idaho, on September 11, 2026. It offers two formats: a 2 Loop Challenge of 13.4 km (about 8.3 miles) and a Last Man Standing race, in which runners repeat the loop until only one competitor is able to keep going, so the total distance is open-ended.

The two-loop option is a good fit for anyone who wants a hard trail effort under 10 miles, and it works well as a tune-up for a fall half marathon. The Last Man Standing format is a different animal: it rewards patience, consistent pacing and the ability to eat, rest and restart lap after lap. If that is your target, train with repeated moderate loops rather than one big long run, and practice quick transitions between efforts.