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 to lace up your running shoes for the highly anticipated 20th edition of The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge on Saturday, December 12, 2026! This exciting event takes place at the scenic Melrose Fish & Game Club in Melrose, Middlesex, and features a unique 3.5-mile cross-country race that promises a challenging course and a festive atmosphere. Participants can also enjoy a non-competitive 2-mile walk, making it the perfect outing for both serious runners and those looking for a leisurely stroll.
Starting at 12:00 PM, the race will showcase spirited team competitions and individual runs where entrants will vie for the coveted nutcracker awards. With a limit of 250 participants, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Enjoy delicious post-race pasta and a cash bar while supporting local beneficiaries like Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School XC teams. Come dressed in your holiday best and join the fun at this beloved community tradition!
Starting at 12:00 PM, the race will showcase spirited team competitions and individual runs where entrants will vie for the coveted nutcracker awards. With a limit of 250 participants, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Enjoy delicious post-race pasta and a cash bar while supporting local beneficiaries like Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose High School XC teams. Come dressed in your holiday best and join the fun at this beloved community tradition!
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. AS PART OF THIS, IF ANYONE HAS SOME INTERESTING DISPLAYS OF NUTCRACKERS OVER THE YEARS WHICH YOU DON'T MIND SHARING (BY NAME OR ANONYMOUSLY), PLEASE EMAIL PHOTOS TO MHNC@MELROSERUNNINGCLUB.COM .
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
-
3.5 Mile XC Run
Incl. $4.60 Fee
Sat 12th December 2026 (12:00PM EST)
$39.60
OPENS 14 MARCross Country Race -
2 Mile Walk
Incl. $3.00 Fee
Sat 12th December 2026 (12:00PM EST)
$28.00
OPENS 14 MARNon competitive walk
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100 Slayton Rd., Melrose, 02176, MA, United States
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The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge
