Organizers faced a new wave of pressure to rename the event following the comments and dismissal of the event’s founder. The name change comes in the wake of a slew of controversy. Recently, there’ve been online discussions and petitions asking Dirty Kanza promoters and new owner Life Time to change the name of the event. Back in July, the popular Midwest gravel race known at the time as the Dirty Kanza announced that it was considering a name change. Some of our friends are petitioning Lifetime Sports to change the name of Dirty Kanza. Internationally renowned for the remote, rugged and unforgiving journey it provides riders, the former DK gravel event begins a new chapter in 2021 known as UNBOUND Gravel. Life Time reveals new name for Dirty Kanza called UNBOUND Gravel. This summer, race founder Jim Cummins made indefensible comments on his Facebook page about a police shooting. The urge to force a change in the event’s name began months ago after people condemned “Dirty Kanza” for being … The new event takes place June 3-6th, 2021. On October 29, 2020, it was announced that the new name for the race will be … The word Kanza … The oversimplified point of concern is that putting the word “dirty” in front of a colloquialism referring to the Kaw Nation’s native land (now mostly known as Kansas) is offensive, implying that the Native Americans are dirty. In the petition, Cyclista Zine said that the name Dirty Kanza was a racial epithet that affected the Kaw Nation indigenous tribe based in Oklahoma and Kansas. Dirty Kanza, one of the most prolific gravel races in the world, will now be known as Unbound Gravel. It’s been a long time coming but DK’s parent company, Life Time Athletic Events, finally announced what the controversial race’s name will be changed to, effective immediately. UNBOUND Gravel will carry on the 15-year history, legacy and energy of the original event with a new identity. Following their acquisition of the race in 2018 Life Time sports has changed the name of the 200 mile gravel event to better "create an identity in line with who and what this race stands for: a place where everyone is and should feel welcome." Life Time Fitness is forging ahead with more changes to the Dirty Kanza after the exit of the race's founder last week. The petition is as follows: "#NameTheChange is a campaign to end the use of the slur “dirty Kanza” as the event name of DIRTY KANZA … Founded in 2006, the race rolls over the flowing hills in Kansas and attracts riders from around the world. The 200-mile gravel race across Kansas, known in recent months simply as DK and before that as Dirty Kanza, has settled on a new name: Unbound Gravel. The race formerly known as the Dirty Kanza 200 revealed its new name … Read the full press release below for Unbound Gravel… “We have been admittedly quiet over the last few months, working hard behind the scenes. The name … Dirty Kanza organisers consider name change. Change the Name, Part II. In 2020, organizers considered a name change for the event to remove reference to Kaw nation (also known as Kanza). This comes after DK founder Jim Cummins was let go from the race organization for making racist claims in support of the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks by police. Dirty Kanza founder fired for saying police shooting of Rayshard Brooks was 'justified' ... Life Time announced the new name UNBOUND Gravel, a new … The race name had been deemed offensive by certain groups and the organization started using the initials “DK” when writing about themselves. Dirty Kanza, the biggest gravel racing event around, has a new name. 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