[The organizers of a popular gravel endurance event in Kansas known as "Dirty Kanza" changed the name of the event to "UNBOUND Gravel."

The move comes after a tumultuous year for the event and the U.S., as disturbing developments surrounding the police killing of an innocent black man led to widespread protests. in a petition on change.org, Ciclista Zinn called the phrase a racial epithet, and racial Gravel event renamed ahead of summer of reckoning (opens in new tab) Kanza is the official name of the Kawah people who lived in the area before the white settlers.

The organizer, Lifetime, initially dismissed the suit, claiming solidarity with the Kaw people. In June, however, race founder Jim Cummins was forced to resign after implying that the police shooting of black man Rashard Brooks was justified.

On Thursday, Lifetime announced a new name, UNBOUND Gravel, a new logo with a design that "embodies the Flint Hills of Kansas," and Garmin as the continuing title sponsor.

"While this rebrand marks the end of one chapter for us as DK, we will continue to embrace the history of the land we ride on. We hope that every time a rider touches a gravel road in the Flint Hills, they will remember what has been done," said Christy Mohn, UNBOUND Gravel Marketing Manager. [UNBOUND Gravel provides an opportunity to rethink the way we do events, and this rebrand is just the first step in that process. This rebrand is just the first step.

The event was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, but organizers worked hard over the summer to change the name and created a "task force" of Emporia leaders and cycling community representatives, partners and athletes, worked with the Kaw Nation Tribal Council on the change.

Lifetime is "committed to providing access and education to all individuals while initiating an industry shift around inclusivity in events," and "BIPOC, LGBTQ+, gender-focused, economically disenfranchised, and across groups of para riders and runners are taking "deliberate steps to enact change for riders and runners, lower barriers to entry into the sport, provide access to the starting line, identify and implement work to be done by clearly understanding who we are, athletes, volunteers, partners, team members, and spark change that benefits the entire Lifetime family of the broader Endurance Sports community. "

Organizers are planning the All Things Gravel Expo on June 3 and the UNBOUND Gravel races on June 5 as events for 2021. Registration will open on Monday, November 16. For more information, visit unboundgravel.com.