Get ready for the most insane athletic showdown on Earth, as the "Florida Man Games" are set to take place in St. Augustine, Florida on February 24, 2024. Inspired by the outlandish behavior of individuals in the state, the games aim to poke fun at the infamous “Florida man” phenomenon that has been circulating the internet for around a decade.

The event's creator, Pete Melfi, embraced the stereotypes associated with the strange headlines by turning them into an athletic competition. Melfi, who owns The 904 Now, a media outlet covering St. Johns County, explained, "We thought, 'how can we really play on these Florida man headlines that we hear so much about?' Someone gave me the idea to make it into an athletic competition."

The headline event of the games will be the "evading arrest obstacle course," where real police officers will chase participants as they jump over fences and through yards. Other wacky contests include the "category 5 cash grab," where participants try to grasp as much money as possible in a wind-blowing booth, and the "weaponized pool noodle mud duel" and "beer-belly wrestling."

Former stars of the hit 1990s television show American Gladiators have agreed to serve as referees during this insane, all-day-long event. The competition is open to all Florida residents, with teams entering together and competing for the prestigious "gator head trophy." Interestingly, being athletic is not a requirement at all to enter.

The games aim to bring to life the wild and unpredictable nature of Florida man's antics. The “Florida Man” concept gained popularity through the @_FloridaMan Twitter account, which shares real headlines showcasing the outrageous behavior of individuals in the state. Some fan-favorite headlines include "Florida man desperate for ride to Hooters calls 911," "Florida man arrested for trying to get alligator drunk," and "Florida man tries to steal rack of ribs by stashing it in his pants."

To truly immerse themselves in the Florida man experience, participants and spectators alike will have the opportunity to live like a Florida man for a day, indulging in the bizarre and unexpected events that the games have to offer. General admission tickets to the event cost $45 (?37).

So, mark your calendars for February 24, 2024, and get ready for a wild day of mud games, Florida-style obstacle courses, and a chance to embrace the eccentric and unpredictable world of the "Florida man.".