The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge

The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge

The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this year's 19th round over the hilly Mount Hood Golf Club. 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.

Venue: The host venue is the Melrose Fish & Game Club. 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.

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 award winners; Melrose Fish & Game Club’s famous post-race pasta lunch; Cash bar.

Beneficiaries: Housing Families, Inc. 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. 12/12/24: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose; Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club.

Course: The course changes every year and encompasses almost all of the 18 hole golf course, as well as making “good use” of its several hills! Each year’s course is primarily run over fairways but also includes paved golf cart paths, road crossings, road sections, and may include short dirt road or wooded sections.