Logo

Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge

Melrose, United States • 13 Dec 2025

The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is an annual cross-country running event held at the Mount Hood Golf Club in Melrose, Massachusetts. This unique 3.5-mile race features a challenging, hilly course that changes every year, incorporating fairways, paved cart paths, road crossings, and wooded sections. The event fosters vigorous team and individual competition, with awards including nutcracker figurines for top finishers.

A non-competitive 2-mile walk is also offered for those seeking a festive, easier option. Hosted at the Melrose Fish & Game Club, the race supports local beneficiaries like Housing Families, Inc. and Melrose High School cross-country teams, and includes amenities such as a post-race pasta lunch and cash bar. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

United States Massachusetts Melrose

Race information

Registration
4 mi
3.5 Mile Xc Run
2 Mile Walk
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

TARC Fall Classic

Carlisle - 15 mi from Melrose

...

Set in the Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Massachusetts, with start/finish at Hart Barn Ski Center, the TARC Fall Classic offers distances of 50 miles, 50K, 20 miles, half marathon, 10K, plus a free youth fun run and the Yeti Mischief Mile. The looped course weaves through woods and fields..

Veterans Count Nashua 5k Fun Run & Walk

Nashua - 30 mi from Melrose

The Veterans Count Nashua 5k Fun Run & Walk will take place in Nashua on Sunday 14 September 2025. You can run between 5 and 5 kilometers.

BLS Wolfpack 5K Cross Country Run or Walk

Grove Hall - 10 mi from Melrose

The BLS Wolfpack 5K Cross Country Run or Walk is a 5K event in Boston’s Franklin Park, using the historic Franklin Park cross-country course. It brings together the Boston Latin School community—students, staff, families and alumni—for a morning of running or walking, with the pep band adding energy..

Run for Nature - Lowell

Lowell - 18 mi from Melrose

Run for Nature in Lowell, Massachusetts returns to Shedd Park at 453 Rogers Street as a fundraiser hosted by the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust. The event offers a 5K Run/Walk, a 10K Trail Run (no walk option), and a Kids 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, a course through park trails and riverfront scenery...

Race for the Refuge

Sudbury - 18 mi from Melrose

...

Race for the Refuge takes place at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, starting at the Visitor Center. The event includes a 1-mile Walk, a 10K (one loop), a 30K (three loops), plus 3- and 6-hour timed races. The course uses double-track trails with ~2.5 miles of pavement per loop and..

Aggie Ram Trail Run 5k

Walpole - 23 mi from Melrose

The Aggie Ram Trail Run 5k will take place in Walpole on Sunday 5 October 2025. You can run between 5 and 5 kilometers.