The Nippy Niner offers two distances –  a 9 mile (15k) and a 5.6 mile (9k) option. Both distances are on paved, gravel and off-road trails. Due to the flooding this past year- the River’s Edge Trail and the Confluence Conservation Area are too damaged to be used for the 2020 edition of the Nippy Niner.

For 2020 the Nippy Niner Trail run will head to higher ground and take place in Spanish Lake Park just above the Conluence Conservation Area. The race will begin on paved trail around Spanish Lake before heading into the double track, gravel, and single track around the upper Sunflower Lake. 9 Mile competitors will complete two laps of the trail section, 9K competitors will complete one off-road loop. (This is the same route used in 2016 due to similar trail damage). There will be a bit more elevation gain on this loop than in the river bottoms. Both distances will be extra nippy.

The Nippy Gritty: 

Register online here. 

• Before November 1: $25

• Before December 31: $30

• After January 1: $35

• Race Day: $40

Athletes registered prior to January 14 will recieve a super deluxe Nippy Niner embroidered beanie.

Shameless Plug: Check out our Valentine’s Day Run for the Chocolate on February 8th, 2020

Packet Pick Up and Registration:

Saturday, January 25 from 1pm – 5pm at Big Shark Bicycle Company 1155 South Big Bend Blvd, 63117

Race Day starting at 7:30 am at Spanish Lake County Park, 12500 Spanish Pond Road, 63138.

Race Start: The Nippy Niner start is en masse- not staged. Please be at the start line by 8:50am.

Nine Mile (15k) Course Description: The race begins on the approx. 1 mile paved loop around Spanish Lake. The course departs the trail and heads towards the upper trails, single track, and double track to the hills and trails around Sunflower Lake. Runners will complete two trail loops before returning to the finish line around Spanish Lake.

Nine K (5.6 mile) Course Description: The short course will be the same as the 9 miler- runners will complete only 1 lap of the trail loop.

Nine Miler Support: Runners will one water stations that will behit out and back for both the 9 mile and 9k. The 9 mile will pass the water station 3 times, the 9K will pass the water station twice.

The Race Location: Spanish Lake County Park is located in north St. Louis County just above the Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area.  From I-270 exit at Bellefontaine Road and head north. Turn right at Spanish Pond Road – park entry will be on your right.

When: Sunday, January 26th, 9:00 AM

Please Note: The Nippy Niner will occur regardless of rain, snow, ice, mud, stampeding badgers, wild cougars or extreme nippyness. Should the event be cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances there will be no refunds.

Awards:

• Overall Top 3 Female/Male
• Age Group Top 3 Female/Male: 19-under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
• Nine Miler ONLY: Female/Male Masters (40 years old +) … 1 Award Each
  (Masters award winners not eligible for Age Group awards)
• Nine Miler ONLY: Athena (150+lbs) under 40 years old and 40+, Male Clydesdale (200+lbs) under 40 years old and 40+ … 1 Award per Category
  (Athena/Clydesdale award winners not eligible for Age Group awards)
• Awards will be presented at 11:00am.

Results: will be available online 24hrs post event.

Rules:

• To be eligible for an award, the runner must complete the entire race course.
• This is a mass start event. No early or late starters allowed.
• There are no refunds. Entry may be transferred up to 1 week prior to the event.
• Athletes registered prior to Jan 14 are guaranteed an event beanie. Everyone is guaranteed a nippy good time!

Race Information Contact: mike@bigshark.com

The Nippy Niner is part of the North County Race Series. Please check out the rest of the series’ events. They are local, unique and awesome events- please support them all!!