24 November 2014

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

Keith Peters, Credit Union Cherry Blossom Media Coordinator
307-690-6803 or [email protected]

Website: www.cherryblossom.org

November 24, 2014, Washington, DC: With the opening of the entry lottery period just days away, organizers of the 43rd 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 for entry into the April 12, 2015 event:

Applications for the lottery to enter the 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk will be accepted from Monday, December 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2014. The status of all lottery registrants -- whether accepted or not -- will be posted on the event website by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16. All individuals who entered the 2014 lottery -- whether accepted or not -- will receive 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 1 for complete details.

Runners can bypass the entry lottery by registering to become a Charity Race Entry Participant; Charity Race Entry Participants must 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 hosted over 300 race enthusiasts at their annual Fall Kickoff Reception on Friday evening, November 14 at the 201 Bar in Washington, DC. Among the highlights of the evening were the presentation of the official 2015 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: "Washington, DC graphic artist Abby Matousek produced a stunning design quite different than those of recent years, featuring a kaleidoscope of cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the Washington Monument. The design was instantly embraced by those in attendance and on the event's social media outlets. Fall Kickoff attendees selected ash grey for the t-shirt color in a vote held in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Social Runner Coordinator Molly Barackman-Eder, who served on the social runner selection committee, was enthusiastic about the 2015 Social Runners, who will promote the event through Facebook, Twitter and other social media. "I believe our 2015 social runners will engage successfully with their fellow runners in a fun and informative way," she said.

The innovative social runner's program was launched in 2012. Applications for the 2015 program quickly reached the limit of 500 established by Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers, and the two contest winners are inveterate bloggers, Tweeters and frequent Facebook and Instagram posters.

Megan Sullivan is a runner and triathlete who lives in Takoma Park, MD with two cats, who are very unimpressed by her athletic pursuits. When she's not at her job with the federal government or out training, she can be found singing, reading, or on the couch trapped by another Law and Order marathon. This will be her fifth Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run. She tweets as @elbowglitter and blogs at www.elbowglitter.com.

Lauren Rice is a midwesterner-turned-DC-transplant who still geeks out every time she runs down The National Mall. She is happiest with her camera in hand and loves to cook up delicious recipes for her food blog, Just a Pinch (www.justapinchblog.com). When not crunching numbers as a non-profit financial analyst, Lauren is teaching spinning, running the streets of Capitol Hill with her lab, Gus, or continuing her studies towards becoming a Registered Dietitian. This will be her third Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run and she's got her eyes on a PR! Follow her adventures on twitter and instagram as @laurenlatelydc.

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

In addition to the two new social runners, the team of Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run bloggers has grown to five. Social Runner Coordinator Molly Barackman-Eder launched the blog last year as a place for runners to share longer posts about their training, racing and fundraising efforts for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The blog also serves as a community bulletin board for nutrition tips and race reminders. Blog Editor Elizabeth Pagel Hogan will be returning for the blog's second year and sharing her insights as she trains for the 2015 race while also coordinating the blog team, an eclectic mix of runners - from the "slower half" of a pair of running twins to an assistant running coach. Guest posts and interviews will again be featured in the lead-up to the race. In addition to contributing to the of Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run Blog, each member of the blog team also maintains their own blog: Courtenay Brinckerhoff http://got2run4me.com, Natalie DiBlasio http://runnersbreakfast.com, Ryan Hudson www.stridenation.com, Malinda Ann Hill www.twinsruninourfamily.com and Kimberly Westrich http://kimruns.blogspot.com.

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

• Designation of Cherry Mint Julep and "CherryTini" as official Kickoff Party cocktails

• A raffle of 25 lottery exemptions to the 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.

• Music, food and drinks -- a good time was had by all!

The 2015 event will mark the 14th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $6.5 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®" in the 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, Gold's Gym, Navy Federal Credit Union, Larabar, BAE Systems, E-Trade, MarathonFoto and Potomac River Running.

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.

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