Tale of Two Trails
Tale of Two Trails runs through the locally popular and beautiful Shawnee Mission Park in Johnson County, Kansas. It receives its name because it combines two separate trail systems in the same park. The 10M race is the only course that runs on one system. The 20M, 40m, and 50m are run throughout both Shawnee Mission’s North and South shore trail systems, connected by a brief amount of paved trail. Each loop is 20M long.
New for 2026: We will be starting and finishing from Shelter 8 instead of the marina parking lot.
Course Details
Shawnee Mission Park has a little of everything terrain wise. There will be some very smooth and runnable sections and some very technical sections. Be prepared for roots and rocks, and some rolling hills. The trails run primarily through tree canopy, but there will be a few exposed areas throughout each loop. The stated mileage of the course will be as accurate as we can get but your GPS device may vary due to a variety of reasons, therefore all stated distances should be considered “-ish”.
The course will be marked with flags and ribbons. Turns will be clearly marked with additional signage. The trails remain open to the public throughout this race, so please make note of the trail maps. You are responsible for knowing the route.
Backup Course
In the event that the trails are closed, the course becomes a 10 mile route with one central aid station. It is a mixture of cross country, gravel, power lines, and some paved trail. If switching to the back up course is required, runners will receive an email with a map of the back up course. All start/finish and parking will remain the same as the primary course.
The race will go on rain or shine but race director reserves the right to delay start, hold runners at an aid station, pause/cancel race in case of a severe storm and lightning. Any decisions of this nature will be made in conjunction with Johnson County Parks Department and or Emergency personnel.
Timing and DNF
Timing will be done by clock time. Your bib must be visible at all times to our volunteers and timing folks. Bib must be visible from the front, since this is not a chipped race if we need to chase you down to get your number, your official finish time will reflect the extra time.
DNF- If you drop from the race you must do so at an aid station, and notify the aid station volunteers so that you can be marked as did not finish. Do not leave the park without communicating that you have dropped with aid station volunteers or the race directors. DO NOT MAKE US LOOK FOR YOU AND/OR CALL YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT, PLEASE!
Aid Stations and Drop Bags
Aid Stations: Aid stations are CUPLESS. You must run with a reusable cup if you would like sodas, tailwind, soup etc at aid stations. We will have reusable ultraspire cups for sale at the registration table race morning for $10. Aid stations will be fully stocked with a variety of options in true ultrarunning style. Tailwind, Variety of sodas, Variety of fruits, Sandwiches and wraps, Salty food such as chips and pickles, Sweets and candy, Soup will be available towards the late afternoon/evening. Aid stations will have first aid kits but no Advil, Tylenol, Aleve will be given out. You are responsible for your own safety regarding NSAIDS.
Drop Bags: Drop bags are allowed for the 40M and 50M runners only. Drop bags are allowed at Start/Finish and Red Crossing aid station. Drop bags must be dropped off by 6:15 am in their designated location in order to be transported to Red Crossing. Bags will be returned to start/finish as the aid stations close or as quickly as the race go-fer can get them back. Please keep drop bags to be delivered to a reasonable size. Gallon ziplocks work great, please no coolers or large totes. Be sure to properly label your bags with your NAME, BIB #, DISTANCE, and AID STATION.
Cut Offs, Pacers, and Crew
Cut off Times: Runner’s have until 10:00 pm to complete the course. You can see mid race cutoffs on the aid station chart in the registered runner packet. The cutoffs are based entirely on park hours. We are allowing runners as much time as we can, while giving time for the start/finish and aid stations to be packed up and everyone/everything ready to go prior to the gates being locked at 11pm for park close. The park police will start herding people out of the park by 10:30pm so it can be clear and locked up promptly at 11.
Pacers: 50M runners may have a pacer starting at 40miles. Runners 70+ years old in the 50M may have pacers starting at 30miles. Pacers are required to abide by the same race rules as their runner. Failure to do so may result in disqualification for their runner. Pacers must check in at start/finish to sign a waiver and receive a pacer bib.
Crew: Crew is allowed at Start/Finish, and Damnnation. Only runners and pacers are allowed in the aid stations. Crew may meet their runners in a designated area outside of the aid station. Crew/Pacers are required to abide by the same race rules and conduct as their runner, and to follow the directions of aid station personal and/or race directors. Failure to do so may result in disqualification for their runner.
Deferment Policy and Race Rules
Deferment Policy: You may defer your entry to the next year by notifying the race directors by September 1st. You must email [email protected] in order to defer. Pregnancy deferral: A runner may defer their entry at any time if they become pregnant prior to the race. If deferring due to pregnancy you have two years to use your entry. Please let us know before race day that you will using this deferment. We do not offer refunds nor bib transfers to others. You may drop down or move up a distance before October 1 as long as that category has space. If you cannot finish the distance you signed up for, it will be classified as a DNF. We do not allow mid race distance drop downs.
Race Rules: NO Littering! Please be sure that you pack out any wrappers, tissues or bottles that you use on course. Litterers will be subject to public flogging, humiliation and disqualification. No hiking poles allowed (contact RD’s if you have medical/extenuating circumstances for an exemption). No alcohol allowed in Johnson County parks: This is a park rule. We cannot and will not bend on this at all. Please do not be the reason we cannot hold our races again. There will be NO dogs allowed for this race. With the potential for busy trail systems we are erring on the side of caution for all trail users. This is a cupless event. You are responsible for providing your own hydration device (see aid section) in addition you must also carry a separate cup for beverages like coke, tailwind and soup at the aid stations. There are NO cups available at any aid stations. Course must be followed as marked. If any portion of the course is cut, runners will be disqualified. If you get off course you must backtrack to where you got off course and then follow the proper course. Markings: Course will be marked using distinctive flagging/markings and will be explained in the pre race briefing. Road crossings: There is signage on the road but runners are responsible for their own safe crossing. Please check carefully for cars and/or bikes. The park and roads will remain open during the race, so please be polite and courteous to other trail users you may encounter. Personal music devices are allowed as long as headphones are used and you maintain a volume that allows you to hear other runners and trail users. We recommend using either one earbud or bone conducting headphones. NO SPEAKERS. These are single track courses and passing will be tight, please be courteous to other runners and trail users and stay alert. Passing: Allow runners in front of you to know that you would like to pass and then pass on the left when it is safe to do so. On out and back sections, yield to the person returning to the start/finish area.
Swag, and Awards
All runners will receive swag TBA. Additional Team Sparkle/Tale of Two Trails swag is available for purchase at race day. Awards: There will be overall podium awards for each distance. First, Second, and Third place men, women, and non-binary podium awards and all finishers will receive a medal for their distance.
Our Code
Team Sparkle Productions recognizes the diversity of athletes, and intentionally creates space for differences that make us unique. It is important that athletes feel comfortable within the space of our organization and that we promote the participation of all people, but especially those with a history of marginalized identities. All athletes have the right to participate fully in our events free from discrimination.
Trail Mix Fund Partnership
We Are Part of the Trail Mix Fund! Do you want to race but can’t afford the entry fee? Are you a part of the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ community? Apply to the Trail Mix Fund to have your registration fee waived. You can learn more on the website: https://trailmixfund.org/ In an effort to improve the diversity in trail racing and remove a potential barrier for the under-served and under-represented, we've partnered up with the Trail Mix Fund, a 501(3)c non-profit. While we all like to think this sport is accessible – “you just need a pair of shoes” – that just isn’t always the case. The Trail Mix Fund is available to anyone wanting to run a race who could use some assistance in paying for it and for those from the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ communities. During registration, we are accepting donations to their organization. All donations made here go directly to the Trail Mix Fund, not to this race. Please consider helping this organization by donating!
Race Day Schedule + Registration
Event Schedule: Saturday October 3
- 5:45- 6:15 am packet pickup and race day registration for 20, 40 and 50 milers at Shelter 8 in Shawnee Mission Park (start/finish)
- 6:20am pre-race briefing for 20, 40 and 50 milers
- 6:30am race start for 20, 40, and 50 milers
- 6:45-7:15am packet pickup and race day registration for 10 milers at Shelter 8 in Shawnee Mission Park
- 7:20 pre race briefing for 10 milers
- 7:30am race start for 10 milers
- 10:00pm race cutoff for all distances
We do offer race day registration for procrastinators. Race day registration is from 5:45-6:15am for 20, 40 and 50 milers. 6:45-7:15am for 10 milers. Race day prices: 10 milers: $100, 20 milers: $115, 40 milers: $150, 50 milers: $175. We accept cash, check, Venmo or cc (tap to pay via Venmo).
