The name of Emporia’s longstanding and world-renowned gravel cycling race may be new, but planning for next year’s event has been going on for months.
The planning for Unbound Gravel 2021 next June reflects the current landscape dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. On KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast Friday, Athlete Services Manager Treva Worrell said certain things will look different next year.
On Thursday, Life Time announced the long-awaited name change from Dirty Kanza to Unbound Gravel after some Native Americans saying the event’s original name could be considered a slur against the Kaw Nation, the Kaw asked not to have any connection between the tribe and the race name and event founder Jim Cummins parted ways with Life Time after a controversial social media post. Reactions have been mixed, with many local residents wanting the original name and others pleased with the change. Race director LeLan Dains says organizers had options for a more localized name — including one as basic as “Flint Hills Gravel Race” — but the new name reflects both the region and the experience “perfectly.”
The races are tentatively set for June 4-5, barring COVID-19, and currently has 25-, 50-, 100-, 200- and 350-mile options listed along with a junior race.
When this year’s race was canceled, riders had the option of getting a refund, deferring this year’s entry fees to next year’s event or donating their entry fees to the Life Time Foundation and its partnership with the Emporia Public Schools Food Service Department. Deferrals will begin this month. Registration for remaining slots will begin in January.
More information about the event is online at www.unboundgravel.com or on the race’s Facebook page.
