bold st. nicks
Be BOLD, brave the COLD at the 11th Annual Winter Fat Bike Race & Gingerbread Man Foot Race in the North Dakota Badlands!
Whether you’re on Bold St. Nick’s naughty list or nice list, you will experience the world-famous Maah Daah Hey like few racers ever have—frozen! 🥶
🚨 FAT BIKES ONLY (3.8” on BOTH TIRES)! Fat bikes are required for all bike participants in the 2026 event.
FATBIKE RACE:
Fatbike racers on the NICE LIST will enjoy the fun and challenging loop course for 2 hours. Those on the NAUGHTY LIST will be “punished” for a grueling 4 hours. Riders who want to work together as a group can sign up for the REINDEER TEAM OPTION: teams of 2-6 will send out one rider on course, at a time, while the others stay warm and cozy by the outside fire pit. Solo racers and team racers alike will attempt to complete as many laps around the approximately 5-mile racecourse as possible before time runs out.
Gingerbread Man Race
Run, run as fast as you can… This fun winter foot race will take place on TRPL’s infamous 1-mile boardwalk. Racers will enjoy spectacular views of the Badlands as they complete as many laps around the flat “bean-shaped” racecourse as they desire, in the two hour cutoff time. The racer with the most laps in 2 hours wins!
date & time
This annual holiday season themed race is held on December 5, 2026 from 10am to 2pm MDT.
Packet Pick Up will be held Saturday morning at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library East Wing. Please scroll down and check the schedule of events below for specific times!
location
The start/finish line will be located at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND, which will serve as a gathering and warming area for racers, volunteers, and spectators.
Come be bold and brave the cold while cheering on participants as they take on a unique winter race experience through the North Dakota Badlands.
RACECOURSE
The 2026 course will be fun and challenging! The exact course will depend on conditions. Expect an approximately 5-mile loop of mixed terrain including a section of the new TRPL Gateway Trails, 2-miles of Maah Daah Hey downhill single track. Then either the flat paved path along Pacific Ave, or the frozen Little Missouri River, depending on temps and ice thickness. Followed by a lung burning climb up Chatuea Road. It’s the perfect course to keep the event interesting and safe whether it is 32 degrees above or below zero. Conditions may vary from dirt and asphalt to ice and snow… All subject to weather. Be prepared for changes, check the weather forecast, and plan accordingly!
fEELING FESTIVE
Get into the holiday spirit while you Be Bold and Brave the Cold in the beautiful North Dakota Badlands! Racers, volunteers, and spectators are invited to enjoy a festive winter atmosphere at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND.
Celebrate the season with fellow racers and supporters before and after the event, with opportunities to warm up, share some holiday cheer, and enjoy the unique experience of winter racing on the Maah Daah Hey Trail.
LODGING
Book your Medora lodging accommodations at the Rough Rider Hotel through our official race partner, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Accommodations can be booked here.
raceCOURSE MAP
race logistics
Registration Information
Registration for the 2026 Bold St. Nick’s Winter Race will include multiple race options:
🎄 Gingerbread Man Foot Race
🚴 2 Hour “Nice List” Fat Bike Race
🚴 4 Hour “Naughty List” Fat Bike Race
🦌 Reindeer Team Option — Teams of 2– 6 fat bike racers
🚨 FAT BIKES ONLY! Fat bike participants must compete on a fat bike. (minimum 3.8” tires) No other bicycle types will be permitted.
schedule
All times listed in Mountain Time Zone
Saturday, December 5
8:00 am - Racer Packet Pickup opens
At the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library East Wing
9:00 am - Packet Pickup & registration closes
9:45 am - Pre Race Meeting for “NAUGHTY” & “REINDEER TEAM” FATBIKERS
9:59 am - Final Words
10:00 am - Race starts for the “NAUGHTY” & “REINDEER TEAM” FATBIKERS
11:00 am – Cash bar opens!
11:45 am - Pre Race Meeting
11:59am - Final words
12:00 pm – Race starts for all the “NICE” FATBIKERS & RUNNERS
2:00 pm – Racecourse closes! All racers must cross the finish line before 2pm for their final lap to count!
2:30 pm – Award Ceremony
6:00 pm – Social Hour for the 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Rules
Be bold, brave the cold!
Be smart, know the course & the rules.
Be prepared for the conditions.
You are responsible for you.
Helmets are required for FATBIKERS.
Stay on course. Racecourse will be well marked and easy to follow.
Follow the rules of the road.
If a fellow racer is injured or in danger, help them, either by assisting them yourself or by getting help. If you sacrifice your race while assisting another racer or volunteer with a serious situation we will give you free registration for next year’s race.
COURSE RECORDS
Naughty List (4 Hours - fatbike)
Timothy Anderson | 3:46:50.26 | 10 laps
Naughty List (4 Hours - mtn bike)
Kyle Leftwich | 3:49:39.84 | 12 laps
Naughty List ( 4 Hours - fatbike & mtn bike)
David Woodbury | 3:41:38.12 | 11 laps
Nice List (1 Hour - fatbike)
Amanda Meredith-Dunlop | 1:17:18.07 | 3 laps
Nice List (1 Hour - mtn bike)
Jason Salz | 1:07:20.34 | 3 laps
Reindeer Fatbike Team
701 Cycle | 3:46:37.68 | 13 laps
GINGERBREAD MAN FOOT RACE
Michael Pfliger | 29:48.22 (no snowshoes)