Tale of Two Trails

About:
Tale of Two Trails runs through 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 100k 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.

*Due to the nature of trail running in the Kansas City area, if Urban Trail Co and the Johnson County land managers close the trails due to wet conditions, we will have an alternate route consisting of bridle trail, cross country, paved and gravel.

Course

Course:
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 very 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”.
Course Markers: 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. PDF and GPX maps are available.

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.
The map can be seen here: https://www.strava.com/routes/3113516165482664380
Start/Finish/Parking are all the same.

Timing and DNF

Timing and DNF:
Timing will be done by clock 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 directos. 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 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


Drop Bags:
Drop bags are allowed for the 40M and 100k runners only.
Drop bags are allowed at start finish, Shelter 8, and Walnut Grove.
Drop bags must be dropped off by 5:45 am in their designated location in order to be transported to the aid stations.
If you wish for race staff to drop your bags for you they must be in bags, not plastic totes. Roughly 5 gallon max. NO trunks, ice chests, styrofoam, or cardboard.
If you prefer larger items such as ice chests or totes you may drop them yourself at an aid station on race morning and pick them up from the aid station after you finish.
Bags will be returned to start/finish as the aid stations close. Both Shelter 8 and Walnut Grove are easily accessible if you wish to retrieve your own drop bags earlier.
Please keep drop bags to be delivered to a reasonable size. Gallon ziplocks work great. Be sure to properly label your bags with your NAME, BIB #, DISTANCE, and AID STATION you would like yours placed at.

Cut Offs, Pacers, and Crew

Cut off Times:
Runner’s have until 10:15 pm to complete the course. You can see mid race cutoffs on the aid station chart. The cutoffs are based entirely on park hours. We are allowing runners as much time as we can, while allowing time for everyone to be out of the park prior to the gates being locked at 11pm when the park closes. 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:
100k runners may have a pacer on their third (last) loop. Runners 70+ years old may have pacers starting on their second loop. 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 receive a pacer bib. Pacers also must be vaccinated against Covid and show proof of vaccination in order to receive their bib.

Crew:
Crew is allowed at Start/Finish, Shelter 8, and Walnut Grove. Only runners and pacers are allowed at 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 Rules

Deferment Policy:
You may defer your entry to the next year by notifying the race directors by June 1st. You must email teamsparklellc@gmail.com 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.

Race Rules:
NO Littering! Please be sure that you pack out any gu wrappers, tissues or bottles that you use on course. Litterers will be subject to public flogging and humiliation (and disqualification).
No poles allowed (contact RD’s if medical/extenuating circumstances)
No alcohol allowed in Kansas parks: This is a park rule. We cannot and will not waver 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 and high heat we are erring on the side of caution for our canine companions.
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 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 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.

Schedule, Swag, and Awards

Event Schedule:
Saturday July 13
5:30am: race morning packet pickup begins
6:00am: 100k and 40M start
7:00am: 20M and 10M start
10:15pm: final cutoff

Swag:
Mile 90 will be taking photos of the event. Photos are included for all runners and may be downloaded for personal use.
All runners will receive a Boco gear trucker or bucket hat.
Additional Team Sparkle swag is available for purchase at race day

Awards:
There will be overall podium awards for each distance. First, Second, and Third place man, woman, and non-binary as well as finishers medals for all participants in all distances.

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!

Event's current local time: 7:45 PM CT