We rate Unbound as the gravel race everyone measures themselves against: 206 miles across the Flint Hills on flint-strewn roads that slash sidewalls without warning. Entry runs through a November 1–15 lottery; 2027 fees and routes are still unpublished. There is no single defining climb, just relentless rollers, full exposure, and Kansas heat. A wet year turns the whole thing into a peanut-butter hike-a-bike, and Emporia lodging is thin.
Better info coming — we're still verifying 3 fields on this race.
Why we'd pick it
- The 2743 m climbing estimate is useful for planning, not a verified pacing number.
- The ballot is open; apply before the published deadline and keep a backup race.
- Thin on non-race things to do for a partner (2/5).
- Race day usually sits 17.6–28.5°C, about 35% chance of rain.
The course
The 200-mile flagship runs from Emporia onto chunky, flint-strewn Flint Hills gravel that shreds tires. There is no single defining climb, just exposed rollers, heat, storm risk, and mud when rain reaches the minimum-maintenance roads. UNBOUND changes and reverses routes between editions, so the stored 2,743-meter gain is only a planning estimate until the 2027 course is published.
Difficulty and PR scores
Difficulty is the course and the conditions. The PR score is a separate read on a fast clock. Missing inputs are dropped and the other weights are rescaled. The method, with the weights.
- Difficulty
- 59 / 100
- PR / BQ friendliness
- Not scored
Weight used: 60%. Need 40% before we print a number.
Weight used: 30%. Need 45% before we print a number.
Weather median for 2011–2025, race date ±7 days, 225 days, at Start. Grid elevation 351 m.
No cited BQ rate for this race.
| Input | 0–100 | What went in |
|---|---|---|
| G Gain | — | No trusted gain per km. Uncertain stored gain is not used. |
| A Altitude | 3 | 351 m. 0 below 300 m, 100 at 2000 m. Source: open-meteo-grid. |
| H Heat | 95 | High 28.5°C, dew point 16.6°C. The hotter of the two bands is used. |
| W Wind | 40 | 3.29 m/s median. Bands: under 3 → 15, under 5 → 40, under 8 → 70, else 100. |
| S Surface | 70 | gravel. Road 15, mixed 45, gravel 70, trail 90. |
| T Cool temps | 5 | 100 minus heat (95). |
| B BQ evidence | — | No cited BQ rate. |
Stays around the race
These are area searches near the published start, finish, and course pins. TripRace may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. We are not naming a hotel.
- Start and finish — Start-finish / Emporia
- Along the course · Downtown Emporia — Downtown Emporia
