2023 UNBOUND Gravel Race Updates

The Life Time team is announcing a few important changes to the elite field for this year’s UNBOUND Gravel race, which will take place on June 3. These changes are outlined below:

Change #1: The 200-mile elite field will no longer start with the amateurs

• How will it work?
  • Elite Men will start 10 minutes ahead of the amateur riders
  • Elite Women will start 2 minutes later, 8 minutes ahead of the amateur riders
  • Note: The elite field will be vetted. If there are any riders who we are unsure about, we reserve the right to reach out and ask them for credentials to start in this field
• Why?
  • To preserve the race experience and ethos of the event for the 4,000 paying customers in attendance. Removing the elites from the amateur experience altogether ensures that the experience is preserved for the person there to “finish” and to experience “adventure by bike” while ensuring all participants, elite and amateur, have the safest and the best experience during the race.
  • Creates a safer riding environment for all. Many riders are now making a livelihood from the amazing event that grew out of a parking lot in Emporia, Kansas. Removing the ability for out-of-their-league non-elites to get mixed in with the elites thereby removes some of the risks of folks riding beyond their abilities and causing dangerous scenarios. Additionally, there will be course marshals at every intersection with paved roads to increase rider safety.
  • Allows for more fair media coverage (equal media coverage for women) in that it creates the ability to understand where the women’s field is (for real-time race highlights, media coverage, etc.) – the women will also have a better idea about where everyone they are competing against is. It will allow for more racing with the other women.

Change #2: Aerobars or bar extensions of any kind will not be permitted for the elite field

• How will it work?
  • Since the elite field is much smaller than the larger rider field, event staff will scan bikes at the elite men and elite women start lines to ensure riders abide by this new rule.
• Why?
  • Removing aerobars creates a safer rider experience by mitigating the risk of crashing at high speeds.
  • Kimo Seymour, President of Life Time Events and Media, and Kristi Mohn, Unbound Marketing Manager, sat down with Ian Boswell on his podcast, Breakfast with Boz Presented by Wahoo, to chat more about these important decisions. Take a listen HERE!

 

The UNBOUND Lottery opens this Thursday, Jan. 5 => Refer to 2023 Event Registration and Random Selection Process.