Place
Melrose, MA US 02176
Description
A recap about the 2024 race (in article format) has now been posted.
Go to the "RESULTS AND PHOTOS - 2024" tab.
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 (see below).
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.
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 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.
MHNC XIX Course Info for 12/13/25
- This year’s course has 3 short road crossings, and a cumulative total of 0.5 mile total asphalt (cart paths and roadway), including the final 0.1 mile.
- One water stop about halfway for runners is provided.
- The Start will be 0.2 miles from the Fish & Game Club.
- The Finish is at its parking lot.
- The 2 mile walk starts along the same course, then cuts off sections of the race course at two locations, where monitors will direct you.
