LAST MAN STANDING WINS MOBILE HOME

After standing for 190 hours and 10 minutes, Richard Redding grabbed a pole in Alton, Ill., meaning that Tom Windel in Warrenton won a standathon that began more than a week ago.

The contest, which began at 7 p.m. Aug. 27, ended Saturday at 5:10 p.m.

"We only took time cards for seven days," said Dan Smithson, owner of 1st Stop Mobile Home Centers, which sponsored the contest. "We never expected it to go this long."

Windel chose a $60,000 mobile home over $25,000 in cash. The winner had a choice of those two. The losers, and there were 176 people who began the contest Aug. 27 in four locations, including one in Cape Girardeau, got nothing except tired feet and a chance to donate to a cause.

Each entrant paid $50, which was donated to Gateway to a Cure, an organization that funds research and services for those with spinal cord injuries.

Smithson said the winner has been living in the basement of his parents' home with his pregnant wife and one child.

"He really wanted and needed that mobile home," Smithson said.

Smithson said there are no records that he knows of for standing without sleep. But contestants this year did surpass those of last year's contest. The winner then stood for 134 hours and 30 minutes.