The endurance mountain biker tops a strong field on the iconic red gravel roads of Oklahoma.
The Land Run 100, in its seventh year, is a 100-mile (103 this year), self-supported, gravel road race through the red gravel roads of Oklahoma. With 2,000 competitors on the start line for 2019 it was the biggest event to date, but, as always, it’s still a race and there could be only one winner.
After over five hours on the iconic red gravel roads found in Oklahoma, Trek supported endurance mountain biker Payson McElveen outkicked former WorldTour rider Ted King (yes, that Ted King) and Andrew Dillman in a three-up sprint to take the honors – and a well-earned champagne spray!
I’m loving these gravel events more and more. After dabbling in gravel last season, I’m fired up to hit more of these booming events in 2019. They play out like a brutal Belgian classic, but riders of all abilities are in it together, creating lifelong gravel memories.
- Payson McElveen
“I’d heard good things about Landrun100 and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The midwest’s passion for bike racing is incredible, with thousands of participants and supporters creating a vibe that’s hard not to be inspired by. Even those of us at the front of the race can feel that collective passion,” said Payson McElveen.
“I had a great day on my Trek Checkpoint, capitalizing on its capability and my mountain bike background to force the winning moving on a tricky rutted climb at mile 60. As our lead group of three neared the 100-mile mark, the race got incredibly tactical as we traded exhausted attacks trying to pry open an advantage. It went to the line in a three-up sprint, and despite cramps up to my ears, I managed to win the fight for the last corner and hold that to the finish.”
