
Ways to Race UNBOUND Gravel
Due to high demand, we are unable to accommodate everyone who wishes to participate in Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano. Therefore, a random selection process is utilized to determine who will be allowed to participate in the UNBOUND Gravel events. If you are not selected in the lottery; however, there are other options! Check out all the ways to race UNBOUND Gravel below!
Lottery
Due to high demand, we are unable to accommodate everyone who wishes to participate in Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano. Therefore, a random selection process will be utilized to determine who will be allowed to participate in the 2025 UNBOUND Gravel events.
The process described herein pertains to the 350-mile, 200-mile, 100-mile, 50-mile, and 25-mile distance options for the 2025 Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano.
Individuals have the opportunity to submit their name for participation in the UNBOUND Gravel XL, 200, 100, 50, or 25 from November 1, 2024 @ 12:00 pm CT until November 15, 2024 @ 11:59 pm CT. Registration for event entry selection is free of charge. However, credit card information is collected at the time you submit your name for consideration. Your credit card is charged only if you are accepted to participate in the event. Only one entry per person Lottery winner will be announced November 21, 2024.
Charity
Partner with one of our awesome charity partners, Life Time Foundation or Chris Klug Foundation to raise money for a great cause and gain entry!
How it works: Each charity participant is required to pay or fundraise for the charity of their choice from the below partners. This cost also includes your guaranteed spot in the 2025 race, and your registration and service fees. Charity spots are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To redeem your entry, contact the charity and make payment. Then, use your designated code provided by the charity to complete your registration for the 2025 race.
Qualifiers
The Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano team is excited to announce the newest way to gain entry to UNBOUND Gravel: Qualifiers
Race one of our five official qualifiers for a chance to earn a spot on the start line in Kansas.
- 50% Performance-Based: Half the coins go to top riders in each category.
- 50% Random Drawing: Half the coins will be up for grabs in a random drawing. Everyone’s got a shot!
- Distances: finishers of the 90-mile and will be eligible for a coin.
Find out more about Sea Otter Classic at seaotterclassic.com
Heathland Gravel Aug 9-11:
Heathland Gravel will take place the weekend of August 8-10, 2025 and 50 spots will be earned to the 2026 UNBOUND Gravel event. The spots will be split evenly based on performance and random lottery.
Find out more about Heathland Gravel at www.heathlandgravel.com
- 50% Performance-Based: Half the coins go to top riders in each category.
- 50% Random Drawing: Half the coins will be up for grabs in a random drawing. Everyone’s got a shot!
- Distances: finishers of the 69-mile and will be eligible for a coin.
Find out more about Crusher in the Tushar at https://tusharcrusher.com/
- 50% Performance-Based: Half of the coins go to top riders in each category.
- 50% Random Drawing: Half of the coins will be up for grabs in a random drawing. Everyone’s got a shot!
- Distances: finishers of the 110-mile and 70-mile races at The Rad will be eligible for a coin, coins will be split evenly across those two distances.
Find out more about The Rad Dirt Fest at theraddirt.com
- 50% Performance-Based: Half the coins go to top riders in each category.
- 50% Random Drawing: Half the coins will be up for grabs in a random drawing. Everyone’s got a shot!
- Distances: finishers of the 100-mile and will be eligible for a coin.
Find out more about Big Sugar Gravel at https://www.bigsugarclassic.com/gravel/
Camp + Entry
Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano hosts a world premier training camp in Emporia, KS tailored for gravel enthusiasts each Spring. This 4 day training camp focuses on preparing the athlete’s mind, body, and machine for the rigors of UNBOUND Gravel and other epic endurance endeavors. Camp athletes will learn through educational seminars, test their equipment on the gravel roads of the Flint Hills, and train their bodies with abundant riding. Athletes can also enjoy great locally sourced food to stay fueled throughout the weekend! And it wouldn’t be an UNBOUND Gravel Camp without amazing goodies from our UNBOUND Gravel sponsors.
Training Camp will have 3 options to help you prepare for the XL, the 200, or the 100 mile events!
Camp also includes entry into either the UNBOUND Gravel XL, UNBOUND Gravel 200 or UNBOUND Gravel 100 event distances. There’s no better way to earn a coveted UNBOUND Gravel finish than with our Training Camp.
Coaching
Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano – the World’s Premier Gravel Event – returns in 2025 with new anticipation, and new challenges! With limited race entries and more demand than ever to take part in this iconic event, UNBOUND Gravel is proud to offer a select number of coaching packages that include a guaranteed entry into the 2025 UNBOUND Gravel race.
With the UNBOUND Premium Coaching and Race Entry Package, you’ll not only receive a guaranteed race entry into 2025 UNBOUND Gravel for the race distance of your choice. You’ll also work with UNBOUND Gravel’s official coaching partner, Boundless Coaching, to help you prepare for success in Emporia this June. Our coaching partners offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in gravel racing and endurance cycling.
Volunteer
You’re eligible to skip the 2026 lottery by volunteering for 10+ hours.
Friends and family can also donate their hours to help you reach the 10 hour minimum! You will need to email us and provide your name, the recipients name, task worked, and total hours worked.
If you have any questions on volunteering, please email our Athlete Services Manager.

Life Time Members Early Access Registration
Life Time owns and produces some of the most incredible athletic events in the world, including UNBOUND Gravel. Along with athletic events, Life Time’s goal is to reshape the way people approach health and fitness with its healthy way of life communities. Life Time members — after six months of membership — get access to our athletic events one week before the event registration opening to the general public or guaranteed registration in lotteries.