FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
50th Credit Union Cherry Blossom Expands to Two Days
with 5K Moving to Saturday, April 1, 2023
REI Co-op to sponsor reimagined 5K with no lottery
November 2, 2022, Washington, DC: In a major change to its 50th anniversary
celebration, Credit Union Cherry Blossom (CUCB) organizers announced that
the 5K, which has been held on the Washington Monument Grounds on the same
day as the 10 Mile since it became a timed run-walk in 2006, will become a
standalone event on Saturday, April 1, 2023, the day before the 50th annual
10 Mile. The 5K will stage on Freedom Plaza and traverse the route of
Presidential Inaugurations down Pennsylvania Avenue before crossing the
National Mall in the shadow of the Capitol Building and returning by the
same route. REI Co-op will be the presenting sponsor of the 5K and the ½
mile Kids Run, which will also be held on Saturday, April 1, at the
National Building Museum.
Unlike previous years, there will be no lottery for the 5K. Entries will be
accepted on a first come, first served basis until the event reaches its
5,000-runner limit. To give runners the opportunity to run both events, the
lottery for the 10 Mile will be held prior to the opening of first come,
first served 5K registration. The 10 Mile lottery will open from Thursday,
December 1 at 10:00 am to 11:59 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
Registration for the 5K will open on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, after
results of the 10 Mile lottery have been posted, and will continue until
the 5K fills - or February 28, 2023 - whichever comes first. Registration
for the Kids Run will open on Tuesday, January 2, 2023.
Event Director Phil Stewart said: "In an effort to celebrate runners at all
levels, we are excited to give our 5K its own stage - and what a stage it
will be - featuring a dramatic course down Pennsylvania Avenue and across
the National Mall. This new format opens the possibility for our 10 Mile
entrants to enjoy a full weekend of running in our Nation's Capital by
running the 5K on Saturday and the 10 Mile on Sunday, which just happens to
total exactly a half marathon over two days. As we embark on this new
format, we are equally excited to introduce REI as our first-ever 5K and
Kids Run presenting sponsor."
REI's Brand Engagement Manager for Washington, DC John McClamy added, "Time
outside is fundamental to a life well-lived, and we could not be more
excited to support runners across the region participating in the 2023
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K and Kids Run. We go further together,
whether we are walking, jogging, running, or crawling across the finish
line. We can't wait to get outside with the community in April to
complement our focus to foster more inclusive outdoor spaces and events."
With six stores in the Washington, DC area, REI is poised to help runners
of any skill level confidently run outside and through all weather
conditions. The company is broadening its product assortment of the most
sought-after running gear, evolving in-store experiences, and expanding
partnerships to help more customers turn to the co-op for their
individualized running needs. Details about training and group runs in the
capital region will be available early next year. The co-op also hosts
online resources through its Expert Advice and its YouTube channel.
Other significant changes to the 5K include:
- Race day packet pick-up at the Health & Fitness Expo at the National
Building Museum on Friday, March 31, or on Freedom Plaza on race morning.
- Expanded awards to include five deep overall as well as the top three
finishers in each age group.
- T-shirts and medals will be specific to the 5K.
- There will be special awards for runners who participate in both races.
There will also be virtual editions of the 10 Mile and 5K, which will take
place during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 20 – April 16,
2023. Virtual Run registration will open on January 2, 2023.
Thanks to Credit Union Miracle Day's title sponsorship since 2002, Credit
Union Cherry Blossom races have raised over $10.2 million for the
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, including $323,000 in 2022.?
About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile:
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom races, organized by Cherry Blossom, Inc., a
501c(3) chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, are known as "The
Runner's Rite of Spring®" in the Nation's Capital. The staging area for
Sunday's 10 Mile is on the Washington Monument Grounds, and the course
passes in sight of all of the major Washington, DC Memorials. In 2023, the
reimagined Saturday 5K will stage on Freedom Plaza and traverse the route
of Presidential Inaugurations down Pennsylvania Avenue before crossing the
National Mall in the shadow of the Capitol Building and returning by the
same route. The Kids Run is staged on the grounds of the National Building
Museum. All events serve as a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network
Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children's hospitals across North
America. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC's own
Children's National ("Children's Hospital"). The event also funds the Road
Runners Club of America's "Roads Scholar" program designed to support
up-and-coming U.S. distance running talent.
Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc., a consortium of credit unions and credit
union suppliers, is the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10
Mile, 5K, Kids Run and Virtual Run. Current presenting sponsors include
ASICS, MedStar Health, REI and Wegmans; supporting sponsors include Co-op
Solutions, CUNA Mutual Group, PSCU, Potomac River Running, Gatorade
Endurance, Suburban Solutions and UPS.
The 10 Mile is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit (PRRO.org), a series of
this country's classic non- marathon prize money road races with circuit
stops in Washington, DC; Spokane, WA; and Utica, NY. The 2023 10 mile will
serve as the 2022-2023 PRRO Championship.
In addition to being sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the Road Runners
Club of America, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom races have earned Gold
Level Inspire Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport in
recognition of its legacy of commitment to sustainability and thoughtful
resource management.
To learn more, visit www.cherryblossom.org and follow the event on social
media @CUCB and #CUCB2023.
About REI Co-op:
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The
nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 21.5 million
members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes
and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 178 locations in 42
states and the District of Columbia. If you can't visit a store, you can
shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn't just about
gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI's active
adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the
country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally
trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner to advanced
level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on
the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions
annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access
to-and steward-the outdoor places that inspire us all.
About Credit Union Miracle Day:
Credit Union Miracle Day is a partnership of over 100 credit unions, CUSOs
and partner organizations united to sponsor the Credit Union Cherry Blossom
races, promoting awareness of the credit union difference and benefitting
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals nationwide.
About America's Credit Unions:
Credit unions are financial cooperatives that provide consumers choices for
financial services such as checking accounts, investments and loans of all
kinds, including mortgages. Funds are federally insured, but unlike banks,
there are no stockholders at credit unions. Earnings are returned to
member-owners in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and
low or no-fee products and services. The credit union philosophy of placing
members' needs first is why more than 131 million Americans do their
banking at a credit union.
About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile:
The 2019 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run marked the 18th year of title
sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $9.5 million has
been raised for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals including $400,000
this year.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, organized by Cherry Blossom,
Inc., a 501c(3) chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, is known as
"The Runner's Rite of Spring®" in the Nation's Capital. The staging area
for the event is on the Washington Monument Grounds Credit Union Miracle
Day, Inc., a consortium of credit unions and credit union suppliers in
partnership with CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU, is the title sponsor of the
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, 5K Run-Walk and Kids' Run. Other
sponsors include Garmin, the presenting technology sponsor; and supporting
sponsors E-Trade, Gatorade, Gold's Gym, Honey Stinger, Mamma Lucia, MedStar
Sports Medicine, ParkMobile, Peet's Coffee, Potomac River Running, Suburban
Solutions, Under Armour and UPS.
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