Organizer of the renowned Dirty Kanza, Life Time, has announced plans to host a new gravel race for next year called the Big Sugar, which will take place in Bentonville, Arkansas on October 24, 2020.
Coinciding with Outerbike Bentonville, the Big Sugar was conceptualized and developed by the Life Time Events team, including the original Dirty Kanza team. Destined to be yet another iconic gravel event, the Big Sugar weekend will host two signature distances: the marquee Big Sugar, a 107-mile course of challenging roads through the Ozarks with approximately 9,000 feet of elevation gain; and the Little Sugar, which complements the larger distance with a 49.3 mile course serving up a similarly challenging, but shorter distance.
Remarking on the events, Kimo Seymour, president of Life Time Events and Media, says, “Our team including myself, is passionate about cycling and these gritty, on-dirt races that allow riders to participate in an event that is bigger than themselves—that enriches their lives as well as the communities they take place in. As we see more riders move from pavement to dirt, we are honored to be at the forefront of this change and be in a position to create truly unforgettable experiences that help grow and impact the cycling community in a positive way.”
Commenting on the host site, Seymour elaborates, “Bentonville has become a hub for cycling, but it doesn’t yet have an iconic gravel race. We’re really excited to bring the same Leadville and Dirty Kanza feel here to Bentonville and produce a life-enriching event that welcomes every rider, from beginner to experienced. We have a team that has a genuine passion for cycling — particularly on dirt and gravel — and, through Life Time, the resources to make it happen.”
To develop the course, Life Time is working alongside Bentonville’s Nat Ross and Gabbi Adams – both of whom live and breathe cycling and know how to deliver a truly iconic event that will stand the test of time.
Life Time says, “it’s committed to honoring and reflecting the soul of the communities wherever its events take place”, resulting in a positive economic impact for the host area.
For instance, according to Dr. Shawn M. Rohlin of Kent State University’s Department of Economics, Kent State University, the Dirty Kanza had a $5.5 Million economic impact on Emporia, Kansas in 2019, the equivalent to 101 full time jobs, whereas the Leadville Race Series contributed $18 Million to the Leadville, Colorado economy, the equivalent to 320 full time jobs,
Registration for the Big Sugar will open on Nov. 15, 2019 at www.BigSugarGravel.com. The first 800 participants who register will gain entry.
You can follow the Big Sugar on social media @bigsugargravel and use the hashtags #RideBigSugar #RideLittleSugar #GravelSweetTooth.
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