The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge
- Date Sat 14th December 2024
- Location Melrose, Massachusetts
- Price $28.00 - $39.60
- Races 2 races
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for a festive and exhilarating experience at the Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Melrose, Middlesex! This beloved annual event, now in its 18th year, invites both runners and walkers to tackle the challenging cross-country course at the Melrose Fish & Game Club. Participants can choose from a competitive race or a non-competitive 2-mile walk, making it perfect for everyone from seasoned athletes to those looking to enjoy a casual outing while soaking in the holiday spirit.
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is renowned for its unique course that changes every year, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience for all entrants. With a race limit of 250 participants, this event fosters a spirited team competition alongside individual challenges, all while vying for the coveted nutcracker trophies! Plus, enjoy the famous post-race pasta lunch and a cash bar to celebrate your achievements. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to support Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School cross-country teams while enjoying a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit!
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is renowned for its unique course that changes every year, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience for all entrants. With a race limit of 250 participants, this event fosters a spirited team competition alongside individual challenges, all while vying for the coveted nutcracker trophies! Plus, enjoy the famous post-race pasta lunch and a cash bar to celebrate your achievements. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to support Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School cross-country teams while enjoying a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit!
Organiser's Description
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this year's 18th round over the hilly Mount Hood Golf Club [https://mthoodgolfclub.com/images/speasyimagegallery/albums/1/images/mthood-course-25.jpg]. This race is a unique cross-country race in the Greater Boston area in that the course changes every year. Runners look forward to a vigorous team competition or competing individually, a challenging course, and vying for the coveted nutcrackers! Others arrive festively dressed for this December race, and come for the experience and challenge of XC running.
The non-competitive 2-mile walk option is provided for those who want an easier option while still enjoying the festive nature of the event, and to help support the race beneficiaries.
VENUE CHANGE FOR 2024
Due to changed winter season usage of the Mount Hood clubhouse, we are returning to the original location for this race, used for all races prior to 2018: the Melrose Fish & Game Club [https://tinypic.host/image/Melrose-Fish-%2B-Game-Club-2.2kr1xZ]. For those unfamiliar with this venue, directions are the same as for the clubhouse except that you take the road to the left of the clubhouse (Stillman Rd.) and travel 1/3 mile further. The majority of race parking will remain closer to the clubhouse, however, as in the past.
RACE LIMIT
250 entrants
XC TEAM REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
=> SEE TEAMS INFO PAGE
AWARDS
Top 3 M+F overall
Top 3 M+F in age divisions (19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-over)
Top 3 teams in each division
The walk is a non-competitive event.
AMENITIES
* Nutcracker figurines to awards winners
* Melrose Fish & Game Clubs famous post-race pasta lunch
* Cash bar
BENEFICIARIES
Housing Families, Inc. [https://housingfamilies.org/] and the Melrose HS XC teams.
STROLLERS
No strollers allowed
RACE DAY REGISTRATION HOURS
10:00 11:30 am at the Melrose Fish & Game Club
BIB PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS
* Fri. 12/13/24: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
* Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club
The non-competitive 2-mile walk option is provided for those who want an easier option while still enjoying the festive nature of the event, and to help support the race beneficiaries.
VENUE CHANGE FOR 2024
Due to changed winter season usage of the Mount Hood clubhouse, we are returning to the original location for this race, used for all races prior to 2018: the Melrose Fish & Game Club [https://tinypic.host/image/Melrose-Fish-%2B-Game-Club-2.2kr1xZ]. For those unfamiliar with this venue, directions are the same as for the clubhouse except that you take the road to the left of the clubhouse (Stillman Rd.) and travel 1/3 mile further. The majority of race parking will remain closer to the clubhouse, however, as in the past.
RACE LIMIT
250 entrants
XC TEAM REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
=> SEE TEAMS INFO PAGE
AWARDS
Top 3 M+F overall
Top 3 M+F in age divisions (19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-over)
Top 3 teams in each division
The walk is a non-competitive event.
AMENITIES
* Nutcracker figurines to awards winners
* Melrose Fish & Game Clubs famous post-race pasta lunch
* Cash bar
BENEFICIARIES
Housing Families, Inc. [https://housingfamilies.org/] and the Melrose HS XC teams.
STROLLERS
No strollers allowed
RACE DAY REGISTRATION HOURS
10:00 11:30 am at the Melrose Fish & Game Club
BIB PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS
* Fri. 12/13/24: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
* Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club
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