Tale Of Two Trails

Tale of Two Trails : Shawnee Mission Park

Tale of Two Trails is a trail running event held at Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee, Kansas. The event offers the following distances:

• 50 Miler
• 40M
• 20M
• 10M

The 20M, 40M, and 50M courses use both the park’s north and south shore trail systems; each loop measures about 20 miles. The 10M course runs on a single trail system. For 2026 the event will start and finish at Shelter 8.

The course includes a mix of smooth, runnable sections and technical sections with roots, rocks, and rolling hills. Much of the route runs under tree canopy with some exposed areas. The route will be marked with flags, ribbons, and turn signage. Trails remain open to the public during the event, so participants are responsible for knowing and following the marked course.

If trails are closed due to conditions, an alternate 10 mile course will be used. That backup course combines cross country, gravel, power line corridors, and paved trail and uses a single central aid station. Start, finish, and parking locations remain the same if the backup is used.

Aid stations are cupless; participants must carry a reusable cup. Stations will offer items such as Tailwind, sodas, fruit, sandwiches, salty snacks, sweets, and late-afternoon soup. Drop bags are allowed for 40M and 50M runners and are transported between designated locations. Pacers are permitted for the 50M under stated rules, and crew access is limited to designated areas outside certain aid stations.

Race conduct rules include no littering, no hiking poles except by exception, no alcohol in the park, and no dogs. Personal music is allowed with headphones and safe volume. Awards include overall podium places by gender categories and medals for all finishers. The event partners with the Trail Mix Fund to expand access for under-represented runners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.