The official signal about the 3:30CDT2025Unbound Gravel lottery on Thursday was delivered on social media from Life Time."It's time to check the email...The results are in."

Life Time Events, which owns and operates Unbound Gravel, sent e-mail confirmations to thousands of expected riders, elites and amateurs around the world on the afternoon of 11/21 to answer the fiery question of who will head to Emporia, Kansas, one of the best gravel events on the global calendar.1 It was a great experience.

Former footballer Jelle Van Damme, now BMC ambassador, received his ticket for his 2nd visit to Kansas. Last year, he completed a 200-mile event in the Elite Men's division, finishing in 10:46:52 in 94th place. Lauren Stevens, who won last year's women's 100-mile race, was confirmed for next year's 200-mile distance. 

Laurens ten Dam, ranked in the top 200 in Unbound4 3 times, was confirmed to be the first to adopt Unbound XL. Like many others, the mail began with "We are heading to the capital of gravel riding, Emporia and KS for the 2025Life Time Unbound Gravel presented by Shimano."

The draw window for the 2025 event opened from 11/1 to 15, moved 2 months earlier than the previous year and included all 5 race distances: 25, 50, 100, 200 and 350 miles. The organizers said they hope that this will provide additional time for the training of athletes. 

The longest route, the 350-mile Unbound XL, will take place in downtown Emporia, Kansas on Friday 2025 at 5.30 AM. The other 200 distances, including Unbound Gravel4, part of the Lifetime Grand Prix, start at 5/31 from the same location.

For individuals who were not selected in a random draw, there are several industry sponsor assignments out there, three times the top 10 rider Peter Stetina is expected to line up its route, and there are qualifiers that open the door for more amateurs.

Following Thursday's announcement of the lottery winners, Life Time revealed five gravel races that will serve as a qualifying event for Unbound Gravel. The first event, the 2025 new Life Time Lea Otter Classic Gravel race, which will be held in California on 4/11, has 50 spots for next year's Unbound. The other 4 events will serve as qualifiers for 2026.

"As demand for Life Time UNBOUND Gravel continues to grow, we are excited to showcase new opportunities for athletes to secure their place in this world-renowned gravel cycling experience," said Michelle Duffy, Senior Marketing Director at Life Time Athletic Events. 

2026 3 of the Unbound qualifiers are lifetime events in the U.S., 3 of them Tusher's Crusher in Utah, Rad Dirt Fest in Colorado and Big Sugar Gravel in Arkansas, with Heathland Gravel in Lindbergh in Belgium making a 2nd return.

"Heathland Gravel and Life Time Rad Dirt Fest were the first to qualify in 2024, but the expansion of this lineup will open up entry possibilities. We look forward to the unparalleled energy and competition that will make Race Week in Emporia, Kansas special."

Other riders can enter on a first-come, first-served basis at the Unbound Gravel Training Camp announced by Shimano from 2025-4-3-6. Registration is limited and is currently open.

Guaranteed entry at Unbound200 was provided to 44 elite riders selected for the early selection of the 2025 Lifetime Grand Prix, including men's series champion Keegan Swenson and women's winner Sofia Gomez Villafane, as well as the Traca 360 multi・time winner. New Grand Prix riders such as Mattia de Marchi and Australian gravel champion Courtney Sherwell are back. The new elite 2025 prize30,000 prize purse for men and women will be divided equally.

Next year, all routes will again be routed north from Emporia across the Flint Hills of Kansas, known for its punchy climbs, steep valleys and sharp-edged rocks. The official route will be finalized at a later date.