A name change was promised for Emporia’s annual premier gravel bike race and it has been delivered.
Life Time announced Thursday afternoon the new name for the annual race is UNBOUND Gravel. Race Director Lelan Dains says the new name adequately represents the Flint Hills Region and illustrates the feeling riders experience while out riding the roads.
Dains says deciding on the new name for the event was “quite the process.”
According to Dains, the new name will have no impact on the structure of the event and it will run as it has for the past several years. He says he anticipates it may take some time for the community and athletes to fully adjust to the new name, however, he is confident they will do so.
The name change came about following criticism earlier this year from some Native Americans saying the event’s original name, Dirty Kanza, could be considered a slur against the Kaw Nation.
Both Dains and Athlete Services Manager Treva Worrel will join KVOE’s morning show at 8:10 am Friday morning to discuss the change further.
