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Best gravel races for first-timers: the shortest course options
New to gravel? A big-name event with a short option is a great first race: same start line, same party, fewer miles. These races have the shortest published course options. Options under 10 mi and kids', family and paved-path rides are left out.
Last checked: . Routes and prices change, so confirm on each race's official site.
Ranked from published course stats. 95 of the 101 races we track have a published course distance in miles; the other 6 aren't included, and we show the top 25. We never estimate a missing number.
| Rank | Race | Where | Race date | Shortest option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ned GravelBronze · 4 distance options · For the gravel-curious, with a water stop. The new trail run uses the same course. | Nederland, CO | TBA | about 10.5 mi |
| 2 | The Mid South12 Mile Inspiration Ride · 3 distance options | Stillwater, OK | Mar 13, 2027 | 12 mi |
| 3 | Roughneck Gravel RoubaixThe Ida Tarbell · 6 distance options | Titusville, PA | May 29, 2027 | 13.6 mi |
| 4 | Life Time Sea Otter Classic (Gravel)15 · 4 distance options · A shorter intro to gravel. | Monterey, CA | Apr 15, 2027 | 15 mi |
| 4 | Rattlesnake Gravel Grind15 mile · 5 distance options | Sweetwater, TX | Mar 20, 2027 | 15 mi |
| 6 | KowTown GravelCow Dog · 4 distance options · A friendly, wide-open intro route. | Kremmling, CO | Jun 12, 2027 | 16 mi |
| 6 | Royal Gorge GravelSkyline 15: 1,370 ft of climbing · 4 distance options | Cañon City, CO | Sep 19, 2027 | 16 mi |
| 8 | Barry-RoubaixChiller: 1,200 ft of climbing · 4 distance options | Hastings, MI | Apr 17, 2027 | 18 mi |
| 9 | Fast FittyThe Shorty: 680 ft of climbing · 3 distance options | Charlotte, MI | Aug 21, 2027 | 19 mi |
| 9 | The Big Lost (Rebecca's Private Idaho)Tater Tot: 1,209 ft of climbing · 4 distance options · About half pavement and half gravel, on Corral Creek Road. A friendly first gravel race. | Ketchum / Sun Valley, ID | Sep 11, 2027 | 19 mi |
| 11 | Bighorn GravelGravel Curious: 2,000 ft of climbing · 3 distance options · This is a non-competitive intro ride: one long climb toward Cottonwood Pass with big valley views, then a long descent back to town. E-bikes are welcome. | Gypsum, CO | Jun 19, 2027 | 20 mi |
| 11 | Croatan Buck Fifty20 · 4 distance options | Cape Carteret, NC | Mar 13, 2027 | 20 mi |
| 11 | Dead Swede Hundo20 mile · 4 distance options · A one-way ride with a shuttle out to Dayton. | Sheridan, WY | Jun 6, 2026 last known | 20 mi |
| 11 | Heck of the North20 mile: 800 ft of climbing · 3 distance options | Two Harbors, MN | Sep 26, 2026 last known | 20 mi |
| 11 | Homegrown Gravel AdventureGravel Ride 20: 1,300 ft of climbing · 4 distance options · Maximum grade 6%. | Franklin, GA | Feb 27, 2027 | 20 mi |
| 11 | Red Granite Grinder20 mile · 4 distance options | Athens, WI | Oct 10, 2026 last known | 20 mi |
| 11 | Wild Horse GravelHoedown: about 1,200 ft of climbing · 3 distance options · On Sunday. Class 1 e-bikes are welcome in a non-competitive category. | De Beque, CO | May 15, 2027 | 20 mi |
| 18 | Dirty Sheets Gravel Grind22 mile: 1,290 ft of climbing · 4 distance options · Non-competitive. | Chattahoochee Hills, GA | Oct 17, 2026 last known | 22 mi |
| 18 | The Mane Event Gravel Grinder22: 1,147 ft of climbing · 4 distance options | Sheridan, WY | Sep 19, 2026 last known | 22 mi |
| 20 | Chino GrinderFun Grind · 4 distance options | Chino Valley, AZ | Oct 17, 2026 last known | 23 mi |
| 20 | Grasshopper: Ukiah-Mendo Gravel EpicShort Course: 2,291 ft of climbing · 3 distance options | Ukiah, CA | May 23, 2027 | 23 mi |
| 20 | Old Man Winter Bike Rally23 Mile: 839 ft of climbing · 3 distance options · A welcoming intro to winter mixed-terrain riding. | Lyons, CO | Feb 7, 2027 | 23 mi |
| 20 | Tour of the Battenkill23 · 4 distance options | Cambridge, NY | May 22, 2027 | 23 mi |
| 24 | Grinduro CaliforniaGrindurito: 3,011 ft of climbing · 2 distance options · Keeps two of the timed stages: Huff-n-Puff and Smokechaser. | Quincy, CA | Sep 12, 2026 last known | 23.3 mi |
| 25 | Crooked GravelRambler: just over 1,700 ft of climbing · 3 distance options · There's also an untimed recreational option (e-bikes OK). | Winter Park, CO | Aug 7, 2027 | 25 mi |
Course figures come from each race's published route (mostly the 2026 edition) as shown on its race page, where we list the sources. Where an organizer gives a rounded number ("about 6,000 ft"), we rank by that number and show it as published. Spot a wrong number? Organizers can send us a correction.