The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge
- Date Sat 12th December 2026
- Time 12:00PM EST
- Location Melrose, Massachusetts
- Price $28.00 - $39.60
- Races 2 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of fun and competition at the 20th edition of The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge on Saturday, December 12, 2026, in Melrose, Middlesex! This unique event invites both runners and walkers to experience the beauty of the hilly Mount Hood Golf Club with a thrilling 3.5-mile cross-country race. Participants can compete individually or as part of a team, all while vying for the coveted nutcracker trophies. For those looking for a more leisurely pace, a non-competitive 2-mile walk offers a festive alternative, making this event perfect for everyone.
Starting at 12:00 PM, the race will kick off near the Melrose Fish & Game Club, just a short walk from the parking area. With a course that changes every year, runners can expect a fresh and challenging experience. Join in the holiday spirit as many participants dress festively for this memorable event, while enjoying a post-race pasta lunch and a cash bar. Plus, your participation supports great local beneficiaries, including Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School cross-country teams. Don’t miss out on this festive celebration of community, fitness, and friendly competition!
Starting at 12:00 PM, the race will kick off near the Melrose Fish & Game Club, just a short walk from the parking area. With a course that changes every year, runners can expect a fresh and challenging experience. Join in the holiday spirit as many participants dress festively for this memorable event, while enjoying a post-race pasta lunch and a cash bar. Plus, your participation supports great local beneficiaries, including Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School cross-country teams. Don’t miss out on this festive celebration of community, fitness, and friendly competition!
Organiser's Description
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR'S 20TH EDITION OF THE RACE - MHNC XX! WE PLAN TO HAVE SOME SPECIAL FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EVENT, INCLUDING SOME HISTORICAL IMAGES OF THE FAMOUS (INFAMOUS?) FIRST RACE HELD AFTER A SEVERAL INCH SNOWFALL.
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this year's 20th 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.
There is also a non-competitive 2-mile walk 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 0.2 miles from the Melrose Fish & Game Club (see below).
VENUE
The host venue is the Melrose Fish & Game Club [https://tinypic.host/image/Melrose-Fish-%2B-Game-Club-2.2kr1xZ]. For those unfamiliar with this location, directions are the same as for the Mount Hood 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 is closer to the clubhouse, so be prepared for a warm-up walk or jog to reach the venue.
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. 12/11/26: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
* Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this year's 20th 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.
There is also a non-competitive 2-mile walk 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 0.2 miles from the Melrose Fish & Game Club (see below).
VENUE
The host venue is the Melrose Fish & Game Club [https://tinypic.host/image/Melrose-Fish-%2B-Game-Club-2.2kr1xZ]. For those unfamiliar with this location, directions are the same as for the Mount Hood 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 is closer to the clubhouse, so be prepared for a warm-up walk or jog to reach the venue.
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. 12/11/26: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
* Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club
Races
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 reviewLocation
100 Slayton Rd., Melrose, 02176, MA, United States
Who's In
See who else is doing this event
Be the first
No-one has marked this event as 'Doing' or 'Maybe' yet. Will you be the first?
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge
