26 November 2013

Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

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

Website: www.cherryblossom.org

November 26, 2013, Washington, DC: With the opening of the entry lottery period just days away, organizers of the 42nd running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk, known as “the Runner’s Rite of Spring®” in the Nation’s Capital, have established the following lottery entry procedures:

Applications for the lottery to enter the 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk will be accepted from Monday, December 2 through 11:59 pm Friday, December 13, 2013. The status of all lottery registrants – whether accepted or not – will be posted on the event website on Tuesday, December 17. All individuals who entered the 2013 lottery - whether accepted or not – should have recently received an email reminder directly from event organizers about the opening of the lottery; others are encouraged to visit the event’s website at http://www.cherryblossom.org/generalinfo/entryinfo.php on or before December 2 for complete details.

Please note: Runners can bypass the entry lottery by registering to become a Charity Race Entry Participant; Charity Race Entry Participants raise a minimum of $500 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the official race charity, Credit Unions for Kids. More information about the opportunity to become a Charity Race Entry Participant is available at: http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/cucherryblossom/.

Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers held their annual Fall Kickoff Reception on Friday evening, November 15th. Among the highlights of the evening were the presentation of the official 2014 t-shirt design, and the announcement of the Social Runner Contest winners.

In his comments about the official t-shirt design, Event Director Phil Stewart said, “Local graphic artist Chris Rodriguez’s clever design weaves the essence of the event into the geography of Washington D.C.”

Social Runner Coordinator Molly Barackman-Eder, who served on the social runner selection committee, was enthusiastic about the 2014 Social Runners, who will promote the event through Facebook, Twitter and other social media. “ I believe our 2014 social runners will engage successfully with their fellow runners in a fun and informative way,” she said.

The innovative social runners program was launched in 2012. Applications for the 2014 program quickly reached the limit of 500 established by Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers, and the two contest winners are bloggers, Tweeters and frequent Facebook posters.

Doug Cassaro, of Alexandria, VA, started running in 2007 and has not looked back since! He is a Road Runners Club of America Certified Running Coach, a proud coach for DC Road Runners, a FAA-Certified Commercial Pilot and occasional golfer. He tweets as @DougCassaro and blogs at http://www.dougcassaro.com/.

Francine Johnston lives in Newark, DE with her husband and two sons where she juggles time as a full-time employee, and full-time student. She loves family, fitness, fashion and fun, believes that hard work equals results, and follows the motto "Be Better, Do Better, Live Better, Eat Better & Stay Positive." She tweets as @Flash_Fran and blogs at http://fromfrantoflash.com/.

In addition to the two new social runners, Elizabeth Pager-Hogan, who was selected for the social runner program in 2013, will be blogging regularly on the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Web site at http://blog.cherryblossom.org.

In appreciation of their efforts to help generate online buzz about the race, Doug and Francine will receive free entries into the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, free enrollment in Potomac River Running’s In-person Training Program or the New Balance Virtual Training Program as well as lots of free running gear from New Balance.

Other highlights from the Fall Kickoff Reception, hosted by the 201 Bar on Capitol Hill, included:

• Designation of Cherry Mint Julep as official Kickoff Party cocktail
• A raffle of 25 guaranteed entries to the 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.
• Approximately $2,500 raised for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
• Music, food and drinks – a good time was had by all!

The 2014 event will mark the 13th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $6 million has been raised for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile:

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®,” and is the only truly elite road race in our Nation’s capital. 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 New Balance, Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, Larabar, Potomac River Running and BAE Systems.

The event is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit (www.PRRO.org), a five-race non-marathon prize money circuit with events on Utica, NY, San Juan, PR, Washington, DC, Spokane, WA and Atlanta, GA. The circuit is committed to a drug-free sport and engages USADA to conduct drug testing at all circuit events.