Organizers of the Dirty Kanza Gravel Race have announced that they are considering renaming the event.

The announcement comes after race founder Jim Cummins was removed from the organization over a social media post claiming that the police shooting of Rashard Brooks in Atlanta last week was "justified."

In a statement, Lifetime, the race's organizer, expressed regret for the "hurt and emotional distress caused by the events of the past few days" and said it had launched a "Diversity and Inclusion Council."

"We have been working on name change options throughout this year," read an Instagram post by race organizers.

"Our event name was not created with malicious intent, and while we have worked with and received support from the Kawa Nation, we also understand that our name should not be damaged in any way."

"This process takes time and we want to make this change the right way. We will share our progress with you on this process.

"Actions speak more eloquently than words, and we will spare no effort in our ongoing efforts to establish long-term, sustainable change."

If realized, the Land Run 100 will be renamed Mid-South (open in new tab) for 2020, and other racially charged It would not be the first time a gravel race has been renamed.

The name "Land Run" is associated with the forced removal and genocide of Native Americans by the U.S. government in the 1800s.

Lifetime's move to potentially change the name Dirty Kanza comes two months after organizers rejected a petition from the website Cyclista Zine to change the name.

Cyclista Zine stated in the petition that the name Dirty Kanza is a racial epithet that affects the Kaw Nation, an indigenous tribe based in Oklahoma and Kansas. The term Kanza is associated with this tribe.

"Prefacing the Kanza as 'dirty' shows a disconnect with the history of place, violence, and colonization that has been justified by terms like 'dirty' and that is tied to the legacy of anti-indigenous violence in America," the petition read.

In response, Lifetime released an open letter (open in new tab) signed by Cummins and Kaw Nation Chair Lynn Williams, stating that the name was intended to reflect the off-road nature of the race and its location in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

"Lifetime and the Kaw Nation are proud of our relationship, which is built on mutual respect, dignity, and integrity," the letter stated, noting that representatives from Lifetime and the Kaw Nation had met in February.

"At this meeting, we discussed the common characteristics of event participants and what it takes to compete in the Ultra Long Gravel Road Challenge: ...... Discipline, determination, courage, and perseverance were also discussed. It was agreed that these same traits are shared by the Kaw members.

"Lifetime and the Kaw Nation are proud to partner with each other as Dirty Kanza pursues its mission of providing life-enriching experiences and building community for event participants. Together, we strive to respect each other and set an example for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. We hope you will join us in this endeavor."

In their latest statement, race organizers did not commit to a name change or provide a timetable for the action, but said the event is committed to leading diversity within the cycling community.

"Change is never easy, but it is necessary if we are to continue to grow and spread the joy of gravel in the broader community. As the Gravel community grows to be more inclusive and diverse, it will attract even more attention."