15 February 2013

Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

Keith Peters, Media Coordinator
307-690-6803 or [email protected]

February 15, 2013, Washington, DC: Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and USA Track & Field (USATF) announced today that this year’s USA Women’s 10 Mile Championship, presented by America’s Credit Unions, will be held at the 41st running of the “Runners Rite of Spring®” in Washington, D.C. on April 7. In keeping with recent race protocol, there will be an advance start for the elite women, providing the women an opportunity to compete for times that will be recognized as coming from a women’s-only race.

With the level of U.S. talent expected for the Championship, it is likely that the American record for a women’s-only 10-mile race will be set at the event. The current mark of 54:37 was set by the late Sally Meyerhoff in the 2009 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run. (USATF’s rules distinguish between American record times set in women’s-only races and those set in mixed races.)

“The addition of the USA Women’s 10 Mile Championships to our slate of weekend activities complements and reinforces our mission, which is to be the only truly elite road race in our nation’s capital,” said Race Director Phil Stewart. “We appreciate the support of America’s Credit Unions, which made it possible for us to host the women’s championship, and are excited to host the very best American women distance runners, and look forward to them taking aim at the single-sex U.S. record.”

"The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run has been a spring institution for road runners for more than four decades," Max Siegel, CEO of USATF said. "We are thrilled to bring our Women's 10 Mile Championship to the nation's capital for what is sure to be a great day for elite women's racing."

Over 26,000 runners submitted applications to participate in the 2013 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K. With a field limit of 15,000 established by the National Park Service and selected by lottery in December, not everyone who hoped to run will be able to participate in this year’s “Runners Rite of Spring®”. There are, however, a limited number of openings for Charity Race Entrants, who need to register by March 1. Charity Race Entrants gain entry by raising a minimum of $500 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Information about becoming a Charity Race Entry participant is available at: http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/cucherryblossom/.

According to Race Director Phil Stewart: “Since 2002, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K have raised over $5.5 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and a significant part of that sum has been raised by Charity Race entrants. Charity Race entrants are required to raise a minimum of $500 by March 1, but lots of runners in the past have gone above and beyond the minimum; it’s not at all unusual for a Charity Entrant to raise thousands of dollars.”

About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile:

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®.” The staging area for the event is on the Washington Monument Grounds, and the course passes in sight of all of the major Washington, DC Memorials. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across the United States. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds two $5,000 Road Runners Club of America “Roads Scholar” grants 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 Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk. PSCU is the lead financial partner of Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. Supporting sponsors include Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, New Balance, Potomac River Running, Gold’s Gym and E-Trade.

About USA Track & Field:

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the country’s #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org.

About America’s Credit Unions:

Credit unions 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, low or no-fee products and services. The credit union philosophy of placing members’TM needs first is why more than 95 million Americans do their banking at one of America’sTM 7,000 credit unions. Credit unions are for everyone-- no matter where you live, there is a credit union to meet your needs. To find a credit union near you visit:

www.asmarterchoice.org or www.culookup.com