The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge

The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge (formerly “The Assault on Mt. Hood”) is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this years 17th round over the hilly Mt. Hood Golf Club. 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, challenging course, and vying for the coveted nutcrackers!  Others arrive festively dressed for this December race, come for the experience and challenge of XC running, and look forward to the post-race get-together inside the historic Mount Hood clubhouse.
XC Team registration procedure
Runners interesting in being part of a 3- or 4-person team (see XC Team divisions below) have the option of creating a team or joining an existing team during registration. 
Creating or joining a team during registration: Youll have an option to do this when registering starting with Sign Up, or by clicking on the XC Teams menu.  Note: Team name is different from a Running Club name.  You can enter your Running Club after the Team entry section.
Creating or joining a team after registration: Multiple ways!
Sign into your RunSignUp account.  Select this race, then Manage Registration, and go to the Teams menu.Team Captains can add or change team members online by signing into their RunSignUp account.A Team Administrator (see below) can assign you to a team.Team Captains can fill out a Team Registration form on race day, providing member names and bib numbers
Club Team Administrator option:If a club likes to assign members to teams after seeing who has registered, a designated Club Team Administrator can become the Team Captain for all of their clubs teams. Create a RunSignUp account if you dont already have one, then e-mail the following information by 12/6/23 to: mhncmelroserunningclub.com     1) Team Administrators name and e-mail address used for the RunSignUp account     2) all the Team names and respective Team division (see below)The Team Administrator will then be assigned as the Team Captain for all the teams.  He or she can then go to their account and Manage Registration, select Groups, then for each team name, select Edit Group to assign team members.  Changes can be made online right up until race time. 
XC Team divisions
3-person teams: Male Open, Female Open, Male Masters (40), Female Masters (40)
4-person teams: Coed Open (2 men, 2 women)
Team scoring is by total time.
Awards
Top 3 MF overall
Top 3 MF in age divisions (19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-over)
Top 3 teams in each division
Amenities
Nutcracker figurines to awards winners; pasta and salad lunch; cash bar
Youth Pricing
The entry fee for runners 17 and under has been reduced this year: $20 early registration (until Dec. 4), $25 thereafter.  Age is based on date of registration.
 
Beneficiaries
Housing Families, Inc. and other local charities
Race limit
400 runners
Strollers
No strollers allowed
Race day registration hours
10:00 – 11:30 am at Mt. Hood clubhouse
Bib pick-up location hours
Fri. 12/8/22: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., MelroseRace day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Mt. Hood clubhouse