Land Run 100 is no more...

They changed the name to "The Mid-South".

Evidently they got negative push back because some think the name glorified the land grab that screwed the local indigenous peoples.  Which is true, it did that, no question about it.  And since this is a for profit event using the misfortunes of others for your benefit justifies the push back.

So I understand the decision but the name "The Mid-South" has no location meaning.  The name "Land Run 100" gave great context to the event.  I know it was 100 miles and I knew it was in OK as that was where the historical "land run" occurred.  And even if one didn't remember their high school history they could learn about the event due to the name (and event web site).  Unfortunately I suspect that the promoters used the context to make profit but with little awareness to the plight of the indigenous people who got screwed by the land grab. I think that this is the rub.  

DerekJ_MI wrote:They changed the name to "The Mid-South".

Evidently they got negative push back because some think the name glorified the land grab that screwed the local indigenous peoples.  Which is true, it did that, no question about it.  And since this is a for profit event using the misfortunes of others for your benefit justifies the push back.

So I understand the decision but the name "The Mid-South" has no location meaning.  The name "Land Run 100" gave great context to the event.  

Agreed - it was an ignorant name to a nice event, but the new name sucks. They should just name it OK 100 or such.

Dereck,    I live in the Mid-South along with lots of other riders.  It is for real, Check out the Wikipedia link below.   "The Mid-South" moniker replacing  "Land Run 100" has no meaning for me.  I respect the argument that the Land Run of 1893, there was more than one, is historically an abuse of native American rights.  I suggest creative minds find a race name that 1. shows respect and honor for the native Americans displaced, 2. identifies the geographic region and 3. identifies the race as a gravel event.

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-South

sidewinder wrote:Dereck,    I live in the Mid-South along with lots of other riders.  It is for real, Check out the Wikipedia link below.   "The Mid-South" moniker replacing  "Land Run 100" has no meaning for me.  I respect the argument that the Land Run of 1893, there was more than one, is historically an abuse of native American rights.  I suggest creative minds find a race name that 1. shows respect and honor for the native Americans displaced, 2. identifies the geographic region and 3. identifies the race as a gravel event.

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-South

  The Wikipedia identifies the Mid-south as: "a region of the United States including portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Missouri".  

I'm not disputing the name or the region only the use of it to replace Land Run.  OK isn't part of the perceived Mid-South!  

I agree with your three suggestions, IF the promoters want to champion that awareness.  Me thinks they might not want to do that.  Me thinks Mr. Bobby is looking to the future!  

I am with you 100%.   Just protecting my home turf, I live in Memphis.  The gravel race can be analogous to, and a tribute to the glory of the Great Plains horseman.  Ever refer to your bike as your steed? I am for respectfully honoring history.    Lots of potential names.

Red Rock, Arapaho,Pawnee, Shawnee, Wildhorse  -  100

Wow at first I thought the race was actually over. At my end I really don't care what they call it as long as they keep running it. A catchy name I guess would be nice though as it's kind of a stand alone race from all others from what I read when they have rain and it turns into peanut butter mud.

Zman

sidewinder wrote:I am with you 100%.   Just protecting my home turf, I live in Memphis.  The gravel race can be analogous to, and a tribute to the glory of the Great Plains horseman.  Ever refer to your bike as your steed? I am for respectfully honoring history.    Lots of potential names.

Red Rock, Arapaho,Pawnee, Shawnee, Wildhorse  -  100

OH, I like that..  Oklahoma Wild horse 100!  Actually the Native tribe names are also very very good.  Let's see.. The Pawnee Red Peanut Butter 100.  or OKie Red PB 100.  We could go on and on.

I have been watching/reading about this ride/race from afar. Here's my ? to you that have done the ride. I have read/heard of the years that when it rains and it's muddy that this course can pretty much destroy your bike and you could have anywhere up to $300 - $500(might be high) on repairs to your bike afterwards. To those of you that have ridden in the rainy/peanut butter mud years is this true. The other ? then would be how did you keep your drive train clear so you can actually finish the ride.

Thanks
Zman

Names of events matter tremendously.  Discontinuing the name the "Land Run 100" probably means that that event may no longer hold any significance in the gravel world.  Just watch what will happen with the big companies that send their riders to recognized events so that they can later advertise on social media.  They'll get lots of clicks for anything with Kanza, Belgian waffle ride, etc, but zero clicks on their "Mid south" posts and so they'll not come back.  The same thing will happen with the Almanzo to Heywood name change.

As for the new names suggested, you can't use "oklahoma" in the name because that is Choctaw for "red skinned" people, so that could be viewed as racist.  The plight of American Wild horses will draw the ire of PETA.  I'm allergic to peanuts, so you can't use peanut butter in the name.  Can't use an Indian tribal name, either, because that will be seen as disrespectful to some. 

The Mid South, though, might be the perfect name because it's confusing as to what it refers to, and therefore it might be less offensive.  On the other hand, it doesn't say anything about the event, i.e. location, sport, distance,... is it a bike race?  an athletic conference?  an auto collision center? etc.  And come to think of it, "south" should probably be taken out because that kind of sort of links to the Confederacy, etc.  So, how about the "Mid Mid"?  

 

The rash of name changes in gravel races strikes me as a bit odd, particularly when the new names aren’t endearing or even particularly cogent.

They have had a few rainy years. I didn't start until the year after the last bad rain (cold too). I think they had a dismal, maybe 15% (I could be over blowing the DNF, but it was mighty), finish rate. They started including paint stirring sticks in the swag bag so you could get the mud off your derailleur and cogs to make a shift that wouldn't destroy everything. As I said, I didn't ride those years (didn't even have a bike to ride on...), but I grew up not overly far from the area and just a few miles from the red dirt (heavy with clay). That stuff is awfully sticky. PB describes it fairly well. Personally... Well, I don't sign up for things that I don't intend to do, even if it is an awful, terrible day, but I'd be hard pressed to take my bike though that stuff. At least not my new bike. I'd bring my old one. It might not come back if it was a rainy day. 

Zurichman wrote:I have been watching/reading about this ride/race from afar. Here's my ? to you that have done the ride. I have read/heard of the years that when it rains and it's muddy that this course can pretty much destroy your bike and you could have anywhere up to $300 - $500(might be high) on repairs to your bike afterwards. To those of you that have ridden in the rainy/peanut butter mud years is this true. The other ? then would be how did you keep your drive train clear so you can actually finish the ride.

Thanks
Zman

ACME 100

It's gotten to the point/size that they could call it just about anything and people will still line up in droves. I'm glad they changed it, but I agree that the Mid South isn't the best name. I don't think it was haphazardly chosen, they probably have a brand consultant or two working on things. Then again, maybe Bobby just woke up and was like, yup, Mid South it is. Either way, a name won't stop me from getting online and hoping to secure a spot in the 3~5 minutes before they sell out. The fact that we are even discussing it at all means they are getting extra publicity. 

nellborg wrote:Names of events matter tremendously.  Discontinuing the name the "Land Run 100" probably means that that event may no longer hold any significance in the gravel world.  Just watch what will happen with the big companies that send their riders to recognized events so that they can later advertise on social media.  They'll get lots of clicks for anything with Kanza, Belgian waffle ride, etc, but zero clicks on their "Mid south" posts and so they'll not come back.  The same thing will happen with the Almanzo to Heywood name change.

As for the new names suggested, you can't use "oklahoma" in the name because that is Choctaw for "red skinned" people, so that could be viewed as racist.  The plight of American Wild horses will draw the ire of PETA.  I'm allergic to peanuts, so you can't use peanut butter in the name.  Can't use an Indian tribal name, either, because that will be seen as disrespectful to some. 

The Mid South, though, might be the perfect name because it's confusing as to what it refers to, and therefore it might be less offensive.  On the other hand, it doesn't say anything about the event, i.e. location, sport, distance,... is it a bike race?  an athletic conference?  an auto collision center? etc.  And come to think of it, "south" should probably be taken out because that kind of sort of links to the Confederacy, etc.  So, how about the "Mid Mid"?  

 

Red Dirt 100

Glad to see I'm not the only one with these opinions (since social media seems to be all purely positive).

I respect the reason for change and effort/risk that it takes to execute such a change - but think the new name really sucks.

Zurichman wrote:I have been watching/reading about this ride/race from afar. Here's my ? to you that have done the ride. I have read/heard of the years that when it rains and it's muddy that this course can pretty much destroy your bike and you could have anywhere up to $300 - $500(might be high) on repairs to your bike afterwards. To those of you that have ridden in the rainy/peanut butter mud years is this true. The other ? then would be how did you keep your drive train clear so you can actually finish the ride.

Thanks
Zman

If you're careful (ie. carry your bike instead of riding through the bad mud) you can make it through with no issues. The most common expense is trying to pedal with a muddy drivetrain; you'll break a hanger or derailleur. I had to replace BB bearings after a very wet & muddy year. I would have needed that anyway; it just accelerated the process.

RobF wrote:

If you're careful (ie. carry your bike instead of riding through the bad mud) you can make it through with no issues. The most common expense is trying to pedal with a muddy drivetrain; you'll break a hanger or derailleur. I had to replace BB bearings after a very wet & muddy year. I would have needed that anyway; it just accelerated the process.

RobF Thanks for that info. When does the registration open then for each year as I hear it sells out really fast Looks like I want to ride it in 2021 then.

Zman

Zurichman wrote:

RobF Thanks for that info. When does the registration open then for each year as I hear it sells out really fast Looks like I want to ride it in 2021 then.

Zman

Registration opened and the ride sold out in six minutes.  Yes, 2021 is your option IF you want to ride it as an official entry.  Since the ride is all on public roads (as is most all gravel events) anyone can ride it anytime they want, even the day of the race.  Just skip the timing shouts.  This is one of the things I really like about Barry Roubaix in MI.  They mark the routes with permanent road signs so anyone can do the ride whenever they want!  I ride several times a year.  

On the one hand, surely they'll have a better name by next year, but on the other hand, "Gravelleur's Raid" is still the "USECF Gravel Grinder Nationals" so you never know...

DerekJ_MI wrote:Registration opened and the ride sold out in six minutes.  Yes, 2021 is your option IF you want to ride it as an official entry.  Since the ride is all on public roads (as is most all gravel events) anyone can ride it anytime they want, even the day of the race.  Just skip the timing shouts.  This is one of the things I really like about Barry Roubaix in MI.  They mark the routes with permanent road signs so anyone can do the ride whenever they want!  I ride several times a year.  

Thanks but this doesn't tell me about what time of year I need to look for the registration as yes I want to do it in 2021.

Thanks
Zman