This year’s Dirty Kanza threw some new challenges at the 2,700 plus cyclists who took part in the host of races.
Saturday’s races began with a 30-minute lightning delay with a classic Kansas spring severe thunderstorm and ended with the annual block party downtown at the finish line where riders were greeted by Emporia’s faithful. DK Operations Manager LeLan Dains says that is the aspect that makes the event worth it for so many riders.
Riders both old and new took part in the 100, 200 and even the new 350 mile XL challenge. For Chelsey Miller of Kansas City, formerly of Emporia, she enjoyed just finishing her first trip to the DK 100.
Fourth-year rider Michael Sencenbaugh of Athens, Georgia, who finished second in the 200 in 2015, finished 12th this year in the race and says it was his toughest ride yet, especially down the stretch.
Riders encountered the usual muddy treks through the Flint Hills but also some downed power lines adjacent to the course, though no issues arose from that. Due to the huge gathering downtown, parking was hard to find, according to Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods who says the sport makes an economic impact not just this weekend but throughout the year.
City Manager Mark McAnarney agrees.
In addition to the first-ever DK XL event, the Dirty Kanza also featured its first ever high school race. KVOE also sponsored a Dirty Kanza Team Troop 157, with every member of the team finishing their respective races.
Winners from Saturday’s events:
DK XL – (Men) Matt Acker of Grand Rapids, Mich. in 25:10:02; (Women) Rebecca Rusch of Ketchum, Idaho in 28:27:02.
DK 200 – (Men) Ted King of San Anselmo, Calif. in 10:44:22; (Women) Kaitlin Keough of Colorado Springs, Colo. in 12:09:27.
DK 100 – (Men) Matthew Acccarrino of San Francisco, Calif. in 6:33:41; (Women) Erica Mueller of Madison, Wisc. in 6:59:14.
DK 50 – (Men) Scott Moniger of St. Louis, Mo. in 2:48:33; (Women) Lynn McGrew of Houston, Texas in 2:59:37.
DK 25 – (Men) Derick Shackelford of Olathe, Kan. in 1:38:48; (Women) Jade Ptacek of Minneapolis, Minn. in 1:41:34.
DK High School race top finishers were Will Schultz of Lawrence, Kan. (1:51:31) and the top female was Oona Nelson (1:55:36).
Photos by Brandon Peoples/KVOE News, except for Troop 157 team photo, courtesy Leon Bryson
{gallery}Dirty Kanza block party and finish line{/gallery}
