Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run & 5K Walk/Run

MEET STUMPY!

Meet Stumpy

Say hello to Stumpy, the official tree-turned-mascot of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K! Stumpy’s legend stems from tales of resiliency and endurance, and he is a living example that it’s not about the height of the tree; it’s about the depth of its roots. Stumpy has won countless hearts of Tidal Basin visitors, DC locals, and fans across the Internet, and at CUCB he will live on as our #1 Blossom Buddy!

Latest Stumpy News:

Fast Facts

    • Height: Short King 👑
    • Weight: hollow
    • Branches: 1
    • Species: Yoshino (responds to “Yo!”)
    • Neighbor: Thomas Jefferson
    • Cross-training routine: yoga (tree pose)
    • Favorite game: peak-a-bloom
    • Runner’s high: wind in his blossoms
    • Dislikes: beavers
    • Secret handshake: Stump Bump

Year of Stumpy

2024 is Credit Union Cherry Blossom’s Year of Stumpy, a celebration of DC’s favorite little cherry tree! We will be shining a spotlight on Stumpy throughout race weekend:

    • Stumpy is featured on this year’s race t-shirts and medals for the 10 Mile, 5K, and Double Blossom. That’s 25,000 t-shirts and 15,000 medals! The winning design was created by artist Jessica Pascual of Arlington, Virginia.
    • We’ve introduced Stumpy as our official race mascot – for this year and for the years ahead! Say hello to Stumpy at our Health and Fitness Expo or at the 5K, Kids Run, or 10 Mile.
    • During the 10 Mile, Stumpy will be cheering on runners at the Mile 5.7 STUMPY ZONE along the south side of the Tidal Basin. Runners will be able to catch a glimpse of Stumpy (the tree… in the ground) and give him a big wave as they cruise by. Spectators are encouraged to join Stumpy at the STUMPY ZONE where they can pick up a free Stumpy cowbell to cheer on their runners.
    • During the 5K, Stumpy will be hyping up athletes twice (on the way out and on the way back!) at the 6th Street STUMPY ZONE. Show us your best Stump Bump! 🤜🤛
    • Stumpy will be running in the Kids Run. Bring your A-game!
    • Local photographer Kevin Ambrose has created a special edition Running with Stumpy calendar, spanning April 2024 – April 2025, complete with photos of Stumpy from each season, inspirational running quotes, and key Credit Union Cherry Blossom dates.

Stumpy looks forward to celebrating with all of our runners from April 5-7 in Washington, DC!

Stumpy in the News

Stumpy rose to prominence when a photo of Stumpy partially submerged in water due to flooding at the Tidal Basin went viral. Stumpy’s resilience and tenacity won the hearts of many across the nation as he valiantly clung to the soil despite continual flooding. The flooding, which occurs every day now at high tide, has been caused by a rise in the water level in the Tidal Basin. The National Park Service recently announced that it was undertaking a rehabilitation of the Tidal Basin to prevent this flooding. Unfortunately, the rehabilitation effort means that Stumpy and 139 of Stumpy’s fellow cherry trees around the Tidal Basin will have to be removed in late spring or early summer. The Park Service has determined that poor Stumpy is not well enough to survive a re-planting once the work is done. While the news for Stumpy’s future is very sad, we are heartened that the Park Service has decided to take cuttings from Stumpy so that the little tree can be cloned and planted once the rehabilitation work is completed. So Stumpy will live in, both in its progeny, and as the mascot of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K! 

The Park Service announcement about Stumpy’s removal has generated a great deal of interest nationwide: