Event Description
We’re back! After a brief pause, The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge (formerly “The Assault on Mt. Hood”) has returned for its 16th 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: You can do this either by starting with 'Sign Up' or by clicking on the 'XC Teams' menu. (The latter is easier if joining an existing team.)
One can still join a team after registering if 'No XC Team" is chosen. Two options:
- Team captains can add or change team members online by signing into their RunSignUp account.
- As in the past, team captains can fill out a Team Registration form on race day, providing member names and bib numbers
Note: Team name is different from a Running Club name. You can enter your Running Club after the Team entry section.
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 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
Amenities
Nutcracker figurines to awards winners; pizza lunch; cash bar
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. 12/9/22: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
- Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Mt. Hood clubhouse