And you didn't write the Ruby(|node|php|python|golang) interpreter either, or gcc/clang that compiled the interpreter, or the kernel that gcc relies on. (or the cpu microcode - it's turtles all the way down).

Personally, I think the Upshot approach was a sleazy hack of the competition rules. On the other hand, with a $1 million prize, you'd have to be an idiot not to expect rules-lawyering to be at least as important in winning as a good idea…