Unbound Gravel, formerly known as the Dirty Kanza, is a gravel racing event held annually on rural roads in the Flint Hills region of the Great Plains around Emporia, Kansas, United States. The event is typically held in the late spring and consists of multiple races with lengths varying from up to . The event's organizers refer to the race as the "World's Premiere Gravel Grinder", and it is ranked as one of the top gravel bike races in the world. In 2024, there were approximately 5,000 registered riders across all races. In 2026, the event was held May 28 to 31.

Course Starting and ending in Emporia, the routes runs along rural roads in the Flint Hills of east-central Kansas. The course route varies each year, and can change directions from year to year (north or south route) from Emporia. In some years the temperature on the route has exceeded in the afternoon, while other years have seen severe weather including rain and hail. It is not uncommon for rain to occur before or during the race causing some dirt roads to turn into "mud roads".

There are support checkpoints spaced about 50 miles apart for longer races. Riders must carry their own food and water, as well as fix their own tires and bikes. If riders receive outside support at any location other than official checkpoints, it will result in immediate disqualification. Riders may assist other riders by any means and at any time.

Events The event started as a single race, but has expanded to include multiple races of various distances to encourage more riders to participate. Though the names of the race distances are rounded off to numerical values, the actual distance varies slightly based on the specific course chosen for the year.

The event consists of the following races: RaceDistanceIntroducedUnbound Gravel XL2018Unbound Gravel 2002006Unbound Gravel 1002013Unbound Gravel 502013Unbound Gravel 252013Unbound Gravel Junior 1002013Unbound Gravel Junior 502013 The Unbound Gravel 200 remains the marquee race of the event with prize money for the Elite rider category. The Unbound Gravel Junior races are for children and young adults aged 12-18 and are part of the USA Cycling Junior Gravel National Series.

History

In 2006, the first year of Dirty Kanza had 34 riders participate. It was organized by Joel Dyke and Jim Cummins, and modeled off the similar Trans-Iowa and the Flint Hills Death Ride. The race began with 34 rides and concluded with 15 finishers. Dan Hughes won the race in 12:58 hours.

In 2018, Life Time Fitness purchased Dirty Kanza Productions. That year the race had 2,500 registered riders.

In 2019, the race had 2,750 registered riders.The 2019 Dirty Kanza Could Be the Toughest in History; May 29, 2019.

Several changes occurred in 2020. First the races were postponed from May 29–31 to September 10–13 because of the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic issues, then later were cancelled.

Organizers considered a name change for the event to remove reference to Kaw nation (also known as Kanza) based on an online petition despite representatives of the Kaw Nation responding to the allegations, saying "Life Time and the Kaw Nation are proud of our relationship, which is built upon mutual respect, dignity, and integrity" and "It was felt that 'Kanza' paid homage to the region (the Kanza Prairie), to its rich history, and to all things associated with the region, including the Kaw Nation". The same year, the event's surviving founder made a statement that the police shooting of an intoxicated black man in Atlanta who grabbed an officer's taser and fired it at the officer was "justified". The ensuing controversy resulted in his eventual firing by the event's parent company, Life Time Fitness. On October 29, 2020, it was announced that the name of the race would be changed to Unbound Gravel.

In 2021, the race had 2,626 registered riders.

In 2022, the 200 pro race became part of the Life Time Grand Prix.

In 2023, there was a total of over 4,000 registered riders for all races.

In 2024, there was a total of around 5,000 registered riders for all races, with 1,480 in the Unbound Gravel 200, and 1,829 in the Unbound Gravel 100. Riders came from all 50 U.S. States and 38 Countries.

The 2025 200-mile editions were won by Cameron Jones and Karolina Migoń. Simon Pellaud of Switzerland was second, after riding in a breakaway with Jones for much of the day. And with Norwegian Torbjørn Andre Røed third, it was the first time Unbound Gravel did not have an American rider on the elite men's 200-mile podium. Jones' finishing time of 8:37 is fastest ever 200-mile Unbound Gravel time, shattering Morton's 2024 record time of 9:11. In the XL race, winners Britton (at 17:49) and Jackson (at 20:57) both shattered course records.

Winners

Unbound Gravel 200 Before 2020, the race was known as the Dirty Kanza 200 (or DK 200). This 200 mile race was first held in 2006. Results verified at Athlinks.

Year Male Female2026 Mads Würtz Schmidt Sofía Gómez Villafañe 2025 Cameron Jones Karolina Migoń 2024 Lachlan Morton Rosa Klöser 2023 Keegan Swenson Carolin Schiff 2022 Ivar Slik Sofía Gómez Villafañe 2021 Ian Boswell Lauren De Crescenzo 2020 N/A (race cancelled) N/A (race cancelled) 2019 Colin Strickland Amity Rockwell 2018 Ted King Kaitlin Keough 2017 Mat Stephens Alison Tetrick 2016 Ted King Amanda Nauman 2015 Yuri Hauswald Amanda Nauman 2014 Brian Jensen Rebecca Rusch 2013 Dan Hughes Rebecca Rusch 2012 Dan Hughes Rebecca Rusch 2011 Dan Hughes Betsy Shogren 2010 Corey Godfrey Emily Brock 2009 Michael Marchand N/A 2008 Cameron Chambers Kristen High 2007 Steve Goetzelman Leslie Hiemenz 2006 Dan Hughes N/A

Unbound Gravel 100 Before 2020, the race was known as the DK 100. This 100 mile race was first held in 2013 as the DK Half Pint. It became an official race distance in 2019. Results verified at Athlinks.

Year Male Female2026 Robert Oehler Kylee Hanel 2025 Hayden Christian Tiffany Cromwell 2024 Elliott Baring Lauren Stephens 2023 David Brower Tiffany Cromwell 2022 Ethan Overson Marisa Boaz 2021 Stephen Hyde Lauren Stephens 2020 N/A (race cancelled) N/A (race cancelled) 2019 Ashton Lambie Lauren Stephens 2018 Matthew Accarrino Erica Mueller 2017 Steven Baxter Rebecca Rusch 2016 Guy Alvarez Rebecca Rusch 2015 Austin Morris Jennifer Rhoades 2014 David Wilson Danielle Pellicano 2013 Mark Schloegel Lynn Malir

Unbound Gravel XL Before 2020, the race was known as the Dirty Kanza XL (or DK XL). This 350 mile race was first held in 2018. Results verified at Athlinks.Unbound Gravel Event Results; Athlinks.

Year Male Female2026Robin GemperleSvenja Betz 2025 Rob Britton Heather Jackson 2024 Sebastian Breuer Svenja Betz 2023 Logan Kasper Kristen Legan 2022 William Harrison Cynthia Frazier 2021 Taylor Lideen Lael Wilcox 2020 N/A (race cancelled) N/A (race cancelled) 2019 Jay Petervary Lael Wilcox 2018 Matt Acker Rebecca Rusch

Notable victories Rebecca Rusch is notable for placing first female in six events across three distances: XL race in 2018; 200 race in 2012 / 2013 / 2014; 100 race in 2016 and 2017. Lauren Stephens is notable for placing first female in three events of the 100 race: 2019 / 2021 / 2024.

See also Ultra-distance cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado

References

External links

Official race website 2018 race footage (example of race and road conditions on south route) 2023 race footage (example of race and muddy road conditions) 2024 race footage (example of race and dry road conditions on north route) (fast race) Highway maps: Emporia city map, Lyon County map (includes Emporia), Kansas map