The 2022 Unbound Gravel saw records fall despite moderate rainfall in and around Emporia at times during the race.
William Harrison finished the course in 20 hours, 17 minutes, easily besting last year’s prior mark of just under 23 hours. He says he had a surprisingly good run, even as rain started impacting the route as he approached Emporia.
The top women’s finisher was Cynthia Frazier in 22 hours and 25 minutes.
In the 200-mile race, the top women’s finisher was Sofia Gomez Villafane in 10 hours, 27 minutes.
The top men’s finisher was Ivar Slik, who crossed the finish line in 9 hours, 22 minutes — a second ahead of several other riders including 2021 champion Ian Boswell. He says there was pack racing for most of the race, especially at the end.
For the 100-mile race, Ethan Overson won the men’s race in 5 hours, 1 minute. Marisa Boaz was first in the women’s race in 5:23.
For the top Emporians in the various fields:
*In the 200, Corey Smith had the best local finish in the men’s field at 12 hours, 32 minutes. He finished 221st. Paulina Batiz finished 303rd in 13:09.
*In the 100, Dylan McEwin finished 103rd overall with a time of 6 hours, 10 minutes. Alexa Parks finished in 10 hours, 13 minutes.
*In the 50, Quentin Coffman finished 60th with a time of 3 hours, 8 minutes. Dorian Logan was 65th in 3 hours, 9 minutes.
*In the 25, John Cushing was fifth overall in 1 hour, 30 minutes. Autumn Washington was 79th in 2 hours, 12 minutes.
*In the juniors race, Julian Lerch-Davila finished in 1 hour, 57 minutes.
The KVOE.com news page will have full local and area results.
10:50 am Saturday: Riders in 200-mile event nearing midway point; 350 XL riders close to Emporia
The lead pack of riders in the Unbound Gravel 200 are fast approaching the midway point.
On the men’s side, Laurens ten Dam of the Netherlands passed the 95-9-mile timing mat first in four hours, 23 minutes and 55 seconds. A pack of nine riders crossed the timing mat less than three minutes later.
Sofia Gomez Villafane of Heber City, Utah, leads the women’s pack at mile marker 96. Lauren de Crescenzo is listed as second.
Riders in the XL 350-mile race, meanwhile, are closing in on the finish line. William Harrison has passed mile marker 343.
Track the Unbound XL riders using www.trackleaders.com. Track Unbound’s other participants by using www.athlinks.com.
8:30 am Saturday: With conditions possibly chunky to peanut buttery, riders make adjustments
The main slate of races in Unbound Gravel is taking off Saturday morning.
Riders in the 200-, 100-, 50-, 25-mile and junior races are launching in staggered times from downtown Emporia. Among the riders in the 200 is Loek Luijbregts of the Netherlands. With anywhere from 2-6 inches of rain already this week and up to another inch of rain possible Saturday, he says his team made a last-minute equipment change that could help their chances of finishing near the top.
Pearly Spevere of Rifle, Colorado, is in the 200. It’s her first time as a gravel racer, but she’s ready for the mud — both physically and mentally.
Awards ceremonies are coming Saturday and Sunday. Riders involved in the junior race will have an awards ceremony at 1 pm Saturday, with awards for 100-mile participants at 6 pm and awards for those involved in the Life Time Grand Prix at 7 pm. Awards for those participating in the 200 and XL will take place at 8 am Sunday. All ceremonies will be in the Granada Theatre.
