Thursday at 3:30 CDT the official signal about the 2025 Unbound Gravel lottery was delivered on social media from Life Time, "It's time to check your email… the results are in".
Life Time Events, which owns and operates Unbound Gravel, delivered email confirmations the afternoon of November 21 to thousands of expectant riders, elite and amateur alike, from around the world, answering the burning question about who would be heading to Emporia, Kansas for one of the premier gravel events on the global calendar.
Former footballer Jelle Van Damme, now an ambassador for BMC, received his ticket for a second visit to Kansas. Last year he completed the 200-mile event in the elite men's division, finishing 94th in 10:46:52. Lauren Stephens, who won the women's 100-mile race last year, was confirmed for the 200-mile distance next year.
Laurens ten Dam, three times in the top 4 at Unbound 200, was confirmed to take on Unbound XL for the first time. Like so many others, the email started with "You are headed to the capital of gravel riding, Emporia, KS, for the 2025 Life Time Unbound Gravel presented by Shimano".
The lottery window for the 2025 event was open from November 1-15, moved two months earlier than previous years, and included all five race distances - 25, 50, 100, 200 and 350 miles. Organisers said they hoped this would provide additional time for training for any athlete.
Following the lottery winner's announcement on Thursday, Life Time revealed five gravel races that will serve as qualifying events for Unbound Gravel. The first event, the new Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel race in California on April 11, 2025, will have 50 spots available for next year's Unbound. The other four events will serve as 2026 qualifiers.
"As the demand for Life Time UNBOUND Gravel continues to rise, we’re excited to introduce new opportunities for athletes to secure their place at this world-renowned gravel cycling experience," said Michelle Duffy, senior marketing director for Life Time Athletic Events.
“Heathland Gravel and the Life Time Rad Dirt Fest were the first to serve as qualifiers in 2024, but this expanded lineup will broaden the chances for entry. We’re looking forward to the unmatched energy and competition that make race week in Emporia, Kansas so special.”
Guaranteed entries at Unbound 200 were provided to the 44 elite riders named to the early selection for the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix, returning men's series champion Keegan Swenson and women's winner Sofia Gomez Villafane as well new Grand Prix riders such as Traka 360 multi-time winner Mattia De Marchi and Australian gravel champion Courtney Sherwell. New for 2025 will be a $30,000 prize purse for elite men and women, split evenly.
Unbound Gravel qualifiers
- April 11, 2025 - Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel (90 miles) in Monterey, California
- July 12, 2025 - Life Time Crusher in the Tushar (70 miles) in Beaver, Utah
- August 10, 2025 - Heathland Gravel (100 miles) in Lindburg, Belgium
- September 27, 2025 - Life Time Rad Dirt Fest (70 and 110 miles) in Trinidad, Colorado
- October 18, 2025 - Life Time Big Sugar Gravel (100 miles) in Bentonville, Arkansas
