|
Topeka has a thriving trailrunning scene. It also has some excellent trails
(within the city limits) to run on. It's also just a short drive to get to some other excellent trails in Lawrence
or at Perry Lake. So, check-out the information below, and meet some of the folks in the local trailrunning scene:
Trails to Run On
MacLennan Park Trails
AKA "the Governor's Mansion Trails"
By far, the most popular place to run off-road in Topeka is on the MacLennan Park Trails,
AKA "the Governor's Mansion Trails." The park has two types of trails - a wide limestone loop and a series of dirt singletrack
hiking and MTB trails.
Dornwood Park Trails
The seven mile Dornwood Park Trail is located in southeast Topeka and is accessable from a trailhead
on SE 25th Street, east of California Avenue.
Map of All of Topeka's Trails (unpaved & paved)
Trail Gators Club
Hunter Munns started a trailrunning club about a couple of years ago.
They have regular group runs, many of which are on the Governor's Manision trails, during the week.
For more up to date Topeka Trailrunning information, contact Hunter Munns, or go to the website he moderates.
Topeka Trail Gators Trailrunning Club:
http://topekatrailrunners.ning.com/
Topeka Area Roadrunning Club:
http://sunflowerstriders.org/
A Few Local Trail Runners
| Photo by Dick Ross |
|
| David Wakefield |
David Wakefield has been one of Topeka's fastest trailrunners
and ultrarunners for quite some time, and has garnered course records on a few trail race courses. Recently, he won
the Psycho Psummer 50K, the Free State 40-Mile (two years in a row), and has won the 3-day stage race at Syllamo, too. David's Blog
|
| Darin Schneidewind |
Another speedy Topekan, Darin Schneidewind was recently featured in an Endurance Planet podcast, as Trail Nerd of the Month. Since 2008, Darin has been a frontrunner in many trail and ultra races. His favorite
race distance seems to be 100-mile events, and in June 2010 he won the Kettle Moraine 100-Mile endurance run! Darin's Blog
|
| Sophia Wharton (with dog, Puccini) |
Topekan Sophia Wharton (Bad Ben's Mud Babe), has been a trailrunner since
December 2007. She Co-Race Directs up to 17 local races per year, including three very popular ultras. In Fall
of 2008, she won 5 trail races in a row, including two 50K's. Her 50K P.R. is 5:43:00 at the Rock Creek 50K, the 2nd-fastest
female record time at that race (with Deanna Stoppler's 2007 finish, being the record). Sophia is also the MizunoUSA
Running Rep, for a 4-state area. Sophia's Blog
|
| Rebecca Collins |
Becky Collins has been a steady trailrunner, for the past two years.
She's consistently at the front of the pack, in most local trail races.
|
| Kim Deckert |
Kim has been either a winner or a contender in many local trail races.
She tends to attack a course with a certain ferocity. Kim won the female 2009 Rock Creek Trail Series trophy.
|
| Hunter Munns |
Hunter started the Topeka trailrunning club, the Trail Gators. He
can be found at a variety of local trailrunning events.
|
| Kyle Seevers finishes his first marathon! |
|
| Jenn Franklin |
|
| Julie Funk |
|
| Willie Lambert |
|
| John Knowles, Mayetta, KS |
|
| Lee Crane |
|
| MK Thompson |
|
