But did they say only 3 people will split the money?
Not mentioned in the rules, so I assume they did the 'checkpoints x1 + whatever the mountain keeper takes out' estimate. 2-4. They likely started larger until they saw the first guy chopped off the bridge without notice. Or losing the guy that may have had a heart issue on day 1.
Gotta assume that it's close to other reality shows of a final 3, maybe 2. Could even be a surprise at the end of voting 1 off even though they made it all the way. That would be quite the cruel way of losing a third of the pot.
$250k+ per person minimum (after losing a portion of the prize)? Contestants wouldn't put themselves through the rigors for less. They are 'average Americans' traveling 100 miles on foot. Uphill both ways in 10 feet of snow... yadda yadda yadda.