location_city Melrose
location_on Massachusetts
flag United States
calendar_today 13 Dec, 2025
directions_run Running
language Official Website
RegisterThe 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).
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.
250 entrants
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.
Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose HS XC teams.
No strollers allowed
10:00 – 11:30 am at the Melrose Fish & Game Club
Dec 13, 2025
Distance — 2 Miles
Type — Road running
12:00
Dec 13, 2025
Distance — 3.5 Miles
Type — Road running
12:00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Melrose.
Melrose is a city located in the Greater Boston metropolitan area in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Its population as of the 2020 census was 29,817. It is a suburb located approximately seven miles north of Boston. It is situated in the center of the triangle created by Interstates 93, 95 and U.S. Route 1.
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