On your mark…get set…register.
Folks interested in taking part in the Dirty Kanza core series of races May 30 can enter the annual registration lottery starting Monday. In years past, riders had to be ready at 8 am sharp — and hope their fingers were fast and the Internet connections were strong to get in. Come Monday, they can enter at their leisure — so long as they get done by Jan. 19.
Longtime DK organizer Jim Cummins says the lottery approach has been well-received. He also says “what used to work years ago just doesn’t any longer,” especially with the crush of worldwide interest that has developed over the past decade.
The selection is random, but Cummins, a KVOE Newsmaker guest Friday, said the practice of giving area residents preferential treatment will remain.
Riders in the 200 and approaching the 1000 Miles of Kanza designation will also get preferential treatment, and this year there will be a group lottery where people can register as part of a team of up to four members and the whole team can participate if any team member is chosen. Selections will be announced Jan. 27.
The main distances — the 200-, 100-, 50- and 25-mile races — return to the fold. So does the DK XL. The registration for that race ended in December, but people can still enter by participating in the XL training camp March 26-29. Organizer LeLan Dains says there are other ways to get into the races.
Once again, the total field will expand. Around 3,800 riders from around the world are expected for the core races, up from 3,400 last year, while over 150 will participate in the DK XL — up from around 80 riders last year and the hand-picked 34 for the initial event two years ago.
The DK Expo will also expand, from a one-block hub in the 700 block of Mechanic to the 600 and 700 blocks of Mechanic.
To register, go online to www.dirtykanza.com.
