The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge

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 [email protected] . 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. 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).

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