Unbound Gravel 2026

Unbound Gravel 2026

Presented by Life Time Events
Gravel Mixed Surface
Emporia, KS
May 28–31, 2026
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About This Event

Born in 2006 as Dirty Kanza with just 34 participants, Unbound Gravel has evolved into the most prestigious gravel race in North America, drawing over 4,000 riders annually to the remote Flint Hills of Kansas. Founded by Jim Cummins and Joel Dyke as a grassroots celebration of cycling, the event maintains its community spirit despite becoming a cornerstone of the Life Time Grand Prix Series.

The race offers five distance options: 25, 50, 100, 200, and 350 miles, each winding through the distinctive tallgrass prairie landscape. Riders face a mix of chunky limestone gravel, rolling hills, and exposed terrain with limited shade. The Flint Hills’ beauty comes with challenges—sudden weather changes, punishing winds, and technical descents that demand both fitness and bike handling skills. The 200-mile distance remains the marquee event, typically featuring around 3,000 feet of elevation gain across relentlessly rolling terrain.

What sets Unbound apart is its raw, unforgiving character combined with an infectious community atmosphere. The remote Kansas location creates a pilgrimage-like experience, while the post-race celebration in downtown Emporia brings together riders from elite professionals to weekend warriors. Aid stations are strategically placed but sparse, emphasizing self-sufficiency.

Entry requires luck—demand far exceeds capacity, making the December lottery for the 350-mile and January lottery for other distances highly competitive. Veterans describe Unbound as equal parts suffer-fest and spiritual experience, where the Kansas prairie strips away pretense and reveals what riders are truly made of.





Life Time Events

Event Organizer
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Life Time Events is a premier organizer of endurance events across the United States, known for hosting some of the most iconic cycling and trail running competitions. With a mission to inspire healthier, happier lives, Life Time Events brings together athletes from all over the world to participate in challenging and celebrated events.

Prominent Events Organized by Life Time Events:

  1. Leadville Race Series
    • Description: The Leadville Race Series includes the legendary Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Leadville Trail 100 Run, two of the most challenging endurance events globally. Participants compete at high altitudes in the rugged terrains of Colorado, making these races a true test of endurance and mental toughness. Other events in the series include the Silver Rush 50 MTB, Leadville Stage Race, and Silver Rush 50 Run.
    • Links:
  2. Sea Otter Classic
    • Description: Held in Monterey, California, the Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest and most diverse cycling festivals in the world. The event features a wide range of races, including road, mountain, and e-bike competitions, along with a massive expo that draws cycling enthusiasts from around the globe.
    • Link: Sea Otter Classic
  3. Unbound Gravel
    • Description: Unbound Gravel, formerly known as Dirty Kanza, is a premier gravel race held in Emporia, Kansas. It offers multiple race distances, including the grueling 350-mile XL route. The event is a cornerstone of the gravel racing community, known for its challenging terrain and the strong camaraderie among participants.
    • Link: Unbound Gravel
  4. Life Time Grand Prix Series
  5. Tour of the Battenkill
    • Description: Known as the “Queen of the Classics,” this challenging mixed-surface race takes place in Greenwich, New York. It’s renowned for its scenic yet demanding course through rural roads and offers a vibrant post-race celebration.
    • Link: Tour of the Battenkill

Life Time Events continues to set the standard in endurance sports, offering world-class competitions that challenge athletes while fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Whether you’re into trail running, mountain biking, or gravel racing, Life Time Events provides opportunities to push your limits in some of the most stunning landscapes across the U.S.

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Also presented by
Life Time Grand Prix Series

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