UNBOUND Gravel returns south for 20th anniversary course route

Organizers for the 20th anniversary of Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano have announced the official race routes, with the marquee 200-mile course returning south of Emporia for the first time since 2023.

The race, which serves as the second event in the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix series, is scheduled for Saturday, May 30. The featured UNBOUND Gravel 200 route will cover 207 miles of gravel roads and include approximately 9,000 feet of climbing.

According to event organizers, the course will begin with UNBOUND's traditional route leaving Emporia before turning south through a combination of established sections and new additions.

Riders will pass through the first Elite Feed Zone in Madison at mile 43.5 before reaching Texaco Hill, a climb spanning miles 59 through 63 that has become a familiar feature on southern UNBOUND routes. Shortly after, competitors will face Teeter Hill at mile 69.

The latter portion of the course introduces W Road at mile 130, a section making its UNBOUND debut. Riders will continue into Council Grove at mile 163 before crossing the Lake Kahola dam at mile 178, a section organizers said has become a recognizable feature of northern course routes.

The final portion of the course includes the paved climb up Highland Hill before riders return to Commercial Street in downtown Emporia for the finish.

UNBOUND Gravel annually draws thousands of riders and spectators to Emporia, with participants traveling from across the nation and around the world to compete in what has become one of the sport's premier gravel cycling events.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:37 AM.