Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile - Washington, District of Columbia - Running

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile is a Running race in Washington, District of Columbia consisting of a 10 Miles and 5K.

Founded in 1973 as a precursor training run for local runners planning to compete in the Boston Marathon, the race has evolved over the years into a major event attracting 15,000 runners from all 50 states and around the world. The race is so popular that entrants are selected through a lottery system held in December. Over 30,000 runners apply for spots on the starting line.

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run is the only running event in the Washington, DC area which features a significant number of world class runners who compete for over $45,000 in prize money.

The race serves as a vehicle for the title sponsoring Credit Union Miracle Day to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network. Since 2002 over $5 million dollars has been raised.

The race is scheduled for the first Sunday of each April to coincide with the blooming of the cherry trees, given as a gift in 1912 from the mayor of Tokyo. It is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which takes place in late March and early April in the city.

The course is flat, fast, and certified. Landmarks along the route include the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the Watergate complex, and the Tidal Basin.

There is also a non-competitive 5K Run-Walk and a Half Mile Kids Run conducted on race morning. The Ten Mile will use a wave start again this year. Runners will be assigned to a color-coded starting corral based on previous race times. Colors on bib numbers will match starting corrals. There will be six waves of approximately 2,500 runners each. The waves will start in 3-5 minute intervals. Runners outside the top 25 males and females will be scored on net times