The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge
- Date Sat 13th December 2025
- Time 12:00PM EST
- Location Melrose, Massachusetts
- Price $28.00 - $39.60
- Races 2 races
Just added
Secure your place early
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of fun and fitness at The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Melrose, Middlesex! This unique event features an exciting 3.5-mile cross-country race that takes place over the scenic terrain of the Mount Hood Golf Club. Runners will enjoy a fresh course each year, making every race a new adventure. For those looking for a lighter experience, a non-competitive 2-mile walk is also available, allowing participants to soak in the festive atmosphere while supporting local beneficiaries.
Join fellow athletes and festive participants at the Melrose Fish & Game Club, where the race kicks off at 12:00 pm. With awards for the top three male and female finishers, along with age division prizes and team competitions, there’s plenty of motivation to give it your all! Celebrate the spirit of the season with nutcracker figurine awards and a delicious post-race pasta lunch. Whether you’re racing for glory or walking for enjoyment, the Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge promises an unforgettable day filled with community spirit and holiday cheer. Don’t miss out on this wonderful event!
Join fellow athletes and festive participants at the Melrose Fish & Game Club, where the race kicks off at 12:00 pm. With awards for the top three male and female finishers, along with age division prizes and team competitions, there’s plenty of motivation to give it your all! Celebrate the spirit of the season with nutcracker figurine awards and a delicious post-race pasta lunch. Whether you’re racing for glory or walking for enjoyment, the Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge promises an unforgettable day filled with community spirit and holiday cheer. Don’t miss out on this wonderful event!
Organiser's Description
INTERVIEWS WITH THE 1ST AND 2ND MALE AND 1ST FEMALE FOR THE 2024 RACE ARE NOW POSTED.
GO TO THE "MORE" TAB AND THEN THE "RACE SUMMARIES AND INTERVIEWS" TAB.
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 3.5-mile 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.
Race Start Time
12:00 pm for both the 3.5-mile XC race and 2-mile walk. Starting line this year is 1/4 mile from the Melrose Fish & Game Club (see below).
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
GO TO THE "MORE" TAB AND THEN THE "RACE SUMMARIES AND INTERVIEWS" TAB.
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 3.5-mile 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.
Race Start Time
12:00 pm for both the 3.5-mile XC race and 2-mile walk. Starting line this year is 1/4 mile from the Melrose Fish & Game Club (see below).
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
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a reviewThe Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge