A New Course This Spring: The maps of the new 10 mile and new 5K courses are posted on the website or can be viewed at http://www.cherryblossom.org/course/course.htm. We are tremendously excited about the new courses, which will start and finish on the Washington Monument Grounds. The staging area is only ¼ mile from the Smithsonian Metro stop (blue and orange lines). Metro will open at 5 a.m. on race morning, an hour earlier than last year.

A New You This Winter: Orders are being taken for our popular Credit Union Cherry Blossom official race merchandise. Be the first on your block to show off the colors of your favorite spring race. You can view and order the latest merchandise at http://www.cherryblossom.org/merchandise/merchandise.html. 

Book Your Rooms at the Crystal Gateway Marriott: Our official race hotel is the Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The hotel is offering a special race rate for overnight visitors of $165 single/double. Our room block won’t last long at these low rates. To reserve a room, call 703-920-3230 or 800-228-9290. Ask for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run rate. The group code for reservations is CUCCUCA. Reserve by March 15.

Strict Enforcement of the 2 hour and 20 Minute Time Limit (Net Time): With thousands of tourists in town for cherry blossom season, we must have all runners off the course by 10:30 a.m. All runners must maintain a 14-minute per mile pace or you will have to exit the course at the five-mile mark. Runners who fall behind 14-minute per mile pace during the second half of the race will be required to board our sweep vehicles. If you feel you cannot maintain this pace in the 10 mile, we will allow you to switch to the 5K Run Walk instead. Please send an email to Drew Woodrich at office@runwashington.com and she will switch you to the shorter race.

Registered Runners Can Still Sign-up to be On-line Fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network: The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run Walk is about more than friendly competition and fitness for participants. The event raises funds for the Children's Miracle Network and local children's hospitals to treat children battling life-threatening illnesses. Help us reach our goal of raising $1 million dollars in 2008 by becoming an on-line fundraiser today. Through your commitment and support, many of these kids will have a second chance to live happy and productive lives. Someday, they may even be running alongside you in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. There is never a better time to learn how you can become an online fundraiser. For details, please visit https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/LoginRegister.aspx?EventID=14539&LangPref=en-CA

Number Transfers: We are offering registered participants who can’t run an opportunity to transfer their numbers on an experimental basis this year. If you know you won’t be able to participate, visit http://www.cherryblossom.org/transfer.html to learn how to transfer your number to another runner. Transfers must be completed by February 29th at 11:59 p.m..

Virtual Training Program Set to Begin: Our free Virtual Training Program by Coach Kirt West and running legend Bill Rodgers will start the week of January 28th. This 10-week program has helped thousands of runners prepare for the 10 mile over the years. You can still sign up for either the Beginner or Advanced version of the 10-week program which starts in late January by visiting http://www.cherryblossom.org/virtualtraining/virtualtrainer.htm. Once the program is underway, no more new sign-ups will be taken, although runners already enrolled will be able to switch from one program to the other.

Train with Gatorade Endurance Formula: Gatorade Endurance Formula is the official sports beverage of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. We recommend race participants start using it right way as you prepare for the race. In addition, Gatorade Endurance Formula will be served on race day at the aid stations. BJ's Wholesale Club is offering a special pack of ready-to-drink 24 oz. bottles at all their 170 locations. This special pack contains six bottles of lemon-lime flavor and six bottles of orange flavor. For a complete list of BJ's store locations visit http://www.bjs.com/locations/. 
For more information about Gatorade Endurance Formula visit http://www.enduranceformula.com. 

We will be back in touch with more news and information next month.

Happy Miles!
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Organizing Committee