9 December, 2005

CONTACTS: (Please do not publish these numbers. THE NUMBER FOR PUBLICATION IS THE RACE HOTLINE AT 301-320-3350):

Frank McNally
Media Coordinator
703-801-2566 (cell); 703 572-4040 (d); 540-338-5648 (e)

Phil Stewart
Event Director
301-320-6865 (d); 301-802-2194 (cell)

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Online Registration Opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 12

WASHINGTON – The official start of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area’s spring road running season occurs at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 12th with the opening of online registration for the 34th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. The event will be held on April 2, 2006 on the traditional popular and fast course starting and finishing in West Potomac Park. The entry fee is $26. Entries will be taken online at www.cherryblossom.org. Over 17,000 mail-in entries were mailed on December 6th. These entries may be mailed back as soon as they are received. Runners should enter using only one of the two methods. 

The race is limited to 10,000 finishers and is expected to fill up quickly once again. Last year on-line registration filled in just five days and mail-in closed out in two weeks.

Pre-registration is required for the 5K Run Walk this year. The 5K Run Walk is designed for individuals who would like to participate but feel they cannot complete 10 miles by the 2 hour and 20-minute time limit mandated by the permit. This event will be timed and scored this year, and all entrants will receive the official race t-shirt. The 5K Run Walk entry fee is $15 and the event is limited to 350 walkers and casual runners.

”We are pleased to upgrade the 5K Run Walk this year,” said Event Director Phil Stewart, “as this will give an opportunity for fitness runners and walkers to take part in the weekend’s activities.”

The event continues its status as the Washington Metropolitan area’s only World Class elite running event by offering $31,500 in prize money, its largest purse ever. The event has attracted Olympic Gold medalists, World Champions and world record-holders. ``This is the only opportunity to run in the same event with, or to come out and watch, world-class athletes running on the streets of Washington, D.C.,” said Stewart.

The event has raised over $1 million for the Children’s Miracle Network since Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. signed on as the title sponsor in 2002. The 2005 fundraising goal is $500,000. The event also supports American distance running by underwriting two $5,000 grants for up-and-coming U.S. stars through the RRCA Roads Scholar program.

The event is part of the Professional Road Running Organization Circuit and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to title sponsorship from Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. and its affiliated Credit Unions and Partners, the event enjoys supporting sponsorship from Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Metro Run & Walk.