The Dirty Kanza gravel race hasn’t sold out yet. Registration for the random selection process doesn’t open until January 1, 2019.
However, next year’s running of the “World’s Premier Gravel Grinder” will be put on by different owners.
Jim Cummins, the owner of Dirty Kanza, has sold the event to Life Time, a Minnesota-based company that owns some of the biggest races and series in the country. Life Time puts on the Leadville Race Series, Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, the 10-event Life Time Run Series and 9-event Life Time Tri Series.
Now that the dust has settled from the 2018 race, Cummins revealed the 2019 event will be under different owners. photo: 2018 Dirty Kanza 200. © Ian Matteson/ ENVE Composites
Cummins stated on a his site that he and his DK team “have ultimately decided it is time to align ourselves with a partner who will ensure all that is great about Dirty Kanza continues for decades to come.”
Cummins emphasized that he’ll still remain front and center at the event, and touted the upside to being part of a bigger organization. “Ultimately, the added resources Life Time brings will allow us to continue all that is great about Dirty Kanza for our athletes and the broader Emporia, Kansas community.”
Dirty Kanza has certainly grown in popularity, brand, and number of events. There’s now a training camp, a Lunar Kanza ride and run, and the DKXL. With the Life Time acquisition, it would be a safe bet for that trend to continue.
You can read Cummins’ full post here.
