Dirt Circus Bentonville is back for its second year, and I’m excited to share why UltraSignup is behind this event.
First and foremost, UltraSignup is NOT getting into the race production business. Yes, we created this event, but our goal has always been to test new ideas and learn about the potential for new ideas and new communities — not to build a portfolio of races.
We created Dirt Circus Bentonville as a testing ground for some of our assumptions about the sport. We wanted to see if Northwest Arkansas, a region known for its mountain and gravel cycling scene, could also support a nationally recognized trail running event. And, we wanted to explore new ways to build a prize purse that would attract top talent to a short course event.
One key experiment this year is the idea of a community-funded prize purse. Visit Bentonville and Rush Running Company have established a $10,000 base prize purse for the event. But here’s the twist: the community can contribute directly to the purse growing it to any level desired, with 100% of proceeds going to the athletes. Will it work? We have no idea, but we will find out this year.
Why does this matter? We believe that there’s a desire within the community to support elite athletes and help them earn a professional living. A larger purse means more competitive, shoulder-to-shoulder racing—a win for both athletes and spectators.
Adding to the excitement, the prize purse will remain open for contributions throughout the race, meaning racers won’t know the final amount until they cross the finish line. Thanks to our collaboration with Jamil Coury and Mountain Outpost, the event will be livestreamed, with separate men’s and women’s races to ensure clear, competitive trails.
Our approach to this event is simple: be additive, not extractive. We’ve partnered with local community leaders like Mike Rush, who is co-race directing this year, and next year, we’ll pass the event entirely to him. Our mission is to experiment, learn, and then hand over the reins to those who can continue the legacy.
Will UltraSignup create more races in the future? Maybe—but only if there’s a new idea we want to test. We’ll always work in partnership with local communities and pass the event on once we’ve gathered the insights we need.
Want to learn more about Dirt Circus Bentonville? Check out the link!
https://lnkd.in/gkWyYTaN
Concrete Formwork Layout Detailing & Project Management
1mo"...and racing simulator." Take my money!!!