Registration is open for the Lifetime UNBOUND Gravel’s random selection process.

UNBOUND is arguably the largest gathering of gravel enthusiasts in the country. As a result they cannot accommodate everyone. Most of the UNBOUND races take place on Saturday, June 1st, proceeded by the All Things Gravel Expo in and around the Flint Hills of Emporia, Kansas.

Though the UNBOUND Gravel XL (350 miles) registration for random selection has concluded (Dec 1-15), the registration for random selection in the 200, 100, 50, and 25 mile races opens Jan 5 and closes on Jan 20.

Announcements about who was selected for these races will be made on Jan 25. The junior race will be selected through a separate process. Full details for registering for the random selection process are available on the event website.

The courses for 2024 have yet to be revealed, but a peek at the courses used in 2023 can give you an idea of what you would be signing up for if selected. Here are the quick details on the routes from 2023:

XL
Distance: 352 miles
Elevation: 13,539 feet
Stops: 5 (mile 75, 151, 225, 271, & 314)

200
Distance: 205.5 miles
Elevation: 9,100 feet
Water Stops: 2 (mile 42 & 142)
Checkpoints: 2 (mile 79 & 167)

100
Distance: 103.1 miles
Elevation: 4,373 feet
Water Stop: 1 (mile 42)
Checkpoint: 1 (mile 64)

50
Distance: 52 miles
Elevation: 1,528 feet
Aid Station: 1 (mile 28)

25
Distance: 25.1 miles
Elevation: 667 feet
Aid Station: 1 (mile 15)

If that’s not enough to get your mind spinning about tire choice and fueling strategies, then check out last year’s results to find familiar names of people who you know and/or admire who lined up for the UNBOUND adventure.

See the Lifetime UNBOUND Gravel website for more event details, official rules, and preparation guide. Also, keep an eye on our Slowtwitch FORUM for chatter leading up to the race.

Pictures provided by UNBOUND from the 2023 200-mile race.