Earlier this fall, Life Time, owner of the Dirty Kanza and Leadville 100, announced the creation of a new gravel race in Northwest Arkansas called Big Sugar.
Today, Life Time’s investment in gravel continues with the announcement the fitness and event company has purchased the Crusher in the Tushar. Straight from the source, the news was initially broken on Twitter by the Slow Ride Podcast.
OFFICIAL RUMOR: Lifetime Fitness continues in its conquest to own all of the Groadio Podcast National Gravel Calendar with its purchase of the Crusher In The Tushar.
(Breaking News, BTW)
— TheSlowRidePodcast (@TheSlowRidePod) December 5, 2019
Based in Beaver, Utah, the Crusher in the Tushar was started by Burke Swindlehurst in 2011, and it has quickly grown to be one of the biggest gravel events on the U.S. calendar. Set high in the Tushar Mountains, the course features two challenging climbs—including the famed Col d’ Crush—and one big descent down a washboard fire road.
Life Time has purchased the Crusher in the Tushar gravel race. 2019 Crusher in the Tushar Gravel Race. © Cathy Fegan-Kim / Cottonsox Photo
Swindlehurst will continue as the Event Director with Life Time providing support as it has for the Dirty Kanza and other events.
In a letter to past participants, Swindlehurst said the following:
“I know some of you might be wondering why this partnership and why now? Well, to be perfectly honest, even ol’ Tbird has only so much strength, energy and bandwidth to work with. Don’t get me wrong. The Crusher is what gets me out of bed in the morning, but it also keeps me up plenty of nights, too. I believe this partnership will bring a wealth of experience and resources that will enable the Crusher to march confidently into its second decade on strong legs.”
The 2020 Crusher is scheduled to take place on July 11, 2020. Stay tuned for more on the race’s future and the changes to the national gravel landscape.
