Gravel
Life Time Grand Prix & Pro Race (90 miles): Thursday, April 15, 2027
15 Mile, 30 Mile, 60 Mile: Friday, April 16, 2027
More miles. More options. All-new courses.
Gravel is getting even bigger at the 2027 Life Time Sea Otter Classic, with four distances giving everyone from first-time gravel riders to the world’s best pros a chance to line up.
Choose your challenge:
- 15 Miles: A shorter introduction to gravel
- 30 Miles: More miles, more dirt, and a bigger taste of Fort Ord.
- 60 Miles: Take on a serious gravel challenge with the opportunity to qualify for the world’s premier gravel event: Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano. A new corral start system will help create a smoother race experience from the gun. See below for details.
- 90 Miles: The ultimate gravel test and the course for the Life Time Grand Prix and Pro field.
For 2027, all four courses are new, exploring more of the incredible terrain of Fort Ord National Monument. Riders can expect the classic gravel roads, climbs and fast descents, plus the addition of a few non-technical, flowing singletrack sections on the west side of Fort Ord.
Also new for 2027, athletes will be using a corral system for starting, allowing riders to self-select their corral based on their estimated finish time. This start system ensures that riders of similar ability start together, creating a safer, and more enjoyable experience. Find full details below.
New course maps will be released October 14.
Whether you’re chasing a qualifier, taking on a new distance, or simply looking for a great day on dirt, there’s a place for you on the Sea Otter gravel start line.
An Official UNBOUND Gravel Qualifier!
You now have the chance to earn your spot for the world’s premier cycling event, Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano, at Sea Otter Gravel.
Athletes must sign up for the 60 mile distance to have their chance to secure a spot. Riders must complete their first lap before 12:40 p.m.
At Sea Otter Gravel, at least 50 qualifying spots will be available. Half will go to the top riders in each category, while the other half will be awarded based on random draw of eligible participants. Winners will receive guaranteed entry to the subsequent Life Time UNBOUND Gravel, or one year after that.
Registration for 2027 will open on October 6, 2026.
Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 14, 2027 at noon. Event registration closes at 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled event. If you have pre-registered, you can pick up your event number on event day – up to 60 minutes prior to event start time. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
Registered athletes must pick up your race number in person (must have current, valid PHOTO ID). Pick up your race packet, complimentary 4-day Festival Pass, and purchase event merchandise at Athlete Registration.
2027 pricing coming soon!
Race Registration includes:
- Race course support: Feed Zone, medical support
- Complimentary parking
- (1) Complimentary 4-day Festival Pass (if you sign up for multiple events, you will still only receive 1 wristband for the weekend)
- Complimentary post-ride showers
- Secure bag drop
- Secure bike valet
- Post-race lunch and complimentary Sierra Nevada beer at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge. Your lunch must be redeemed on the same day of your race/ride.
- Virtual Athlete Goodie Bag: special offers and discounts from our Sea Otter Classic partners
Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
All racers will self-select their corral position during the registration process.
Thursday, April 16: PRO Category/Life Time Grand Prix (90 Miles)
- LTGP/PRO Men Start – 10:00 a.m.
- LTGP/PRO Women – 10:30 a.m.
Friday, April 17: 15 Miles, 30 Miles, 60 Miles
60 Miles
- BLACK Corral: estimated finish 3:00 hrs.- 4:00 hrs.
- Start at 7:00 a.m.
- BLUE Corral: estimated finish 4:01 hrs. – 4:30 hrs.
- Start at 7:10 a.m.
- GREEN Corral: estimated finish 4:31 hrs.- 5:00 hrs.
- Start at 7:20 a.m.
- YELLOW Corral: estimated finish +5:00 hrs.
- Start at 7:30 a.m.
*All racers must complete 1st lap before 12:40 p.m.
30 Miles
- All Men and Women* start at 7:45 a.m.
15 Miles
- All Men and Women* start at 7:50 a.m.
*Categories race together but are scored separately
At Life Time, we’re committed to elevating the competition experience for our top athletes while maintaining the fairness, integrity, and community spirit that make off-road racing special.
We continue to provide a Pro program that ensures a more professional, transparent, and competitive environment for all athletes racing in the Pro category of the 90 mile race. With increased prize purses and continued alignment with the Life Time Grand Prix, we’re also implementing a vetting process to help maintain fair competition and protect the integrity of the race.
All athletes wishing to compete in the Pro field must complete the Pro Application (see below). This process helps verify that each athlete meets the required performance standards, understands event policies, and contributes to the positive, respectful race culture we value.
Approved athletes will receive a confirmation “pass” verifying their vetted Pro status. This pass confirms eligibility to register and compete in the Pro category but does not guarantee entry into any specific event.
APPLY HERE ELITE SELECTION CRITERIA
If you have any questions, please reach out to lifetimeelite@lifetime.life
Get a head start on training now – official virtual cycling platform, ROUVY.
You can now ride official courses from home, including the Gravel Race, Circuit Race, and Gran Fondo Carmelo. Experience these legendary routes with real-video realism. Start today with a free 7-day trial here.
All athletes receive a complimentary post-race or ride meal at the Casa Amigos Athlete Lounge.
You will receive a physical ticket at packet pick-up.
Meal tickets are valid for the same day as your race or ride.
Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions.
2027 Course Talk dates coming soon!
Learn more here
Course maps will be released in mid-October.
Take an aerial tour of the 2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Course!
Packet pick-up and registration is located at the Hospitality Pavilion. Please see the Festival Map here.
- Wednesday noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Pre-registered athlete packet pick-up only. No Registrations.)
Riders that have already registered online can pick-up their packets the same day as their race
Awards go 3 deep in the below categories:
Sea Otter Gravel Race 90 |
Sea Otter Gravel Race 60 |
| Men’s Gravel 90 Categories | Men’s Gravel 60 Categories |
| Elite Men | 15-16 Men |
| 15-16 Men | 17-18 Men |
| 17-18 Men | 19-29 Men |
| 19-29 Men | 30-39 Men |
| 30-39 Men | 40-49 Men |
| 40-49 Men | 50-59 Men |
| 50-59 Men | 60-69 Men |
| 60-69 Men | 70+ Men |
| 70+ Men | Para Male |
| Para Male | |
| Womens Gravel 90 Categories | Womens Gravel 60 Categories |
| Elite Women | 15-16 Women |
| 15-16 Women | 17-18 Women |
| 17-18 Women | 19-29 Women |
| 19-29 Women | 30-39 Women |
| 30-39 Women | 40-49 Women |
| 40-49 Women | 50-59 Women |
| 50-59 Women | 60-69 Women |
| 60-69 Women | 70+ Women |
| 70+ Women | Para Female |
| Para Female | Non-Binary |
| Non-Binary |
Sea Otter Gravel Race 30 |
| Mens Gravel 30 Categories |
| Men |
| Para Male |
| Non-Binary |
| Womens Gravel 30 Categories |
| Women |
| Para Female |
If you would like to chance categories, please email seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com with any inquiries.
For the 60 mile race, all racers must complete their first lap before 12:40 p.m.
Let’s make it official with your custom winner’s jersey!
We’ll release the 2027 winner’s jersey soon.
No Refunds
All fees are non-refundable and registrations are not transferable.
Deferral
Receive a guaranteed spot into the following year’s race. Athlete will pay 50% of the entry fee and complete a new registration for the following year’s race. Original entry fees will not be refunded.
Important Notables
Deferrals are only valid for the following year in the same event, space permitting.
Active duty and military personnel deployed or recalled may be refunded or deferred at no cost with proof of orders.
Pregnant Women and Postpartum mothers may be refunded or deferred at no cost with an authorized medical note.
Deferral and Transfer redemption deadlines apply.
No refunds or changes permitted on transactions over 365 days.
No refunds on add-on items, merchandise or donations; all purchases are final.
Life Time reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, to revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event. Those who violate our registration/racing policy may be disqualified and potentially banned from participating in this and/or any other Life Time Event.
Contact seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com for information.
All Sea Otter participants will be required to submit a release waiver and assumption of risk form. Save time in line by completing them in advance. All Sea Otter participants are required to wear an approved helmet- no exceptions. USA Cycling Helmet Policy
Race Age. Your age on your race day will determine your race category.
The Fort Ord National Monument is open to visitors during Sea Otter. Riders need to adhere to trail rules and passing speed limits when passing a rider going in the opposite direction. Passing speed limits during the tours (5 mph on single-track and 10 mph on roads) will be enforced.
Athletes competing in Thursday’s Pro Field must read and review the details included in the Pro Field Tech Guide, which will be released one month prior to race day.
Start list to be released prior to race day.