Much has been made — and will continue to be made — about the increasingly fast finish times for Unbound Gravel’s main races, but there are other activities worth noting as Unbound Week continues in Emporia.
Including Chase the Race, a fundraiser designed to build a brand-new facility for young cyclists in and around Emporia.
2015 Unbound 200 men’s champion Yuri Hauswald is starting at the back of this year’s 200-mile field as a way to raise money for a new bike park and playground. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Hauswald said his experience over a decade ago brought him back to Emporia repeatedly — and increased his desire to give back.
Hauswald has raised money for Bloom House Youth Services as part of past Unbounds, and he says he jumped at the chance for this fundraiser, despite doing other races since 2021 — including the XL 350 — but not the 200.
Team Coyote Coach Ryan Conley says plans for the new bike park have been coming together since fall 2025.
Several amenities are under discussion, with Whittier Park seen as the target location.
Unbound Director of Community Partnerships Kristi Mohn says this follows the work of another Unbound 200 champion, Dan Hughes, and his son, Charlie, in using the race to build funds for Emporia projects.
Goal is $50,000, and Chase the Race was at just over $23,000 as of Wednesday morning. More information is available at app.99pledges.com, ltfoundation.org and on unboundgravel.com. People can track Hauswald’s progress Saturday at unboundgravel.com.
