24 November 2015

Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

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

Website: www.cherryblossom.org

November 24, 2015, Washington, DC: With the opening of the entry lottery period just days away, organizers of the 44th 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 3, 2016 event:

Applications for the lottery to enter the 2016 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk will be accepted from Monday, November 30 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2015. The status of all lottery registrants -- whether accepted or not -- will be posted on the event website by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15. All individuals who entered the 2015 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 on or before November 30 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 here. 

Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers hosted over 200 race enthusiasts at their annual Fall Kickoff Reception presented by Medstar Sports Medicine on Friday evening, November 13 at the 201 Bar in Washington, DC. Among the highlights of the evening were the presentation of the official 2016 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 stylistic depiction of the U.S. Capitol Building composed entirely of cherry blossoms, blending the two race themes of the Nation's Capital during cherry blossom season. The design was instantly embraced by those in attendance and on the event's social media outlets." Fall Kickoff attendees selected Indigo Blue for the t-shirt color in an electronic 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 2016 Social Runners, who will promote the event through Facebook, Twitter and other social media: "Our 2016 social runners have been involved in the online running community for years, talking to both new and experienced runners in a fun and informative way."

The innovative social runner's program was launched in 2012. Applications for the 2016 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.

Janelle Johnson is an engineer who loves running, working out and eating great food in Philadelphia with her wonderful boyfriend. This year will be her second Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run. You can follow her training journey on her blog, RunWithNoRegrets.com and on Twitter @Janelle_RWNR.

Courtney Dredden Carter is the author of Eat Pray Run DC, where she blogs primarily about running, food and DC life. A six-time marathoner, she is a marathon maniac, a runner on the Oiselle Team and a Zensah Ambassador. Courtney is obsessed with Pure Barre, loves college football (Roll Tide!) and enjoys exploring new restaurants in DC. She loves running the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Miler and is excited to return for her fourth year in a row. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @EatPrayRunDC and on her blog at EatPrayRunDC.com.

In appreciation of their efforts to help generate online buzz about the race, Janelle and Courtney 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 four Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run bloggers have evolved into Race Ambassadors, answering questions on Twitter and promoting the event on Twitter and Facebook. 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 Courtenay Brinckerhoff 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 a happy living blogger 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 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run Blog, each member of the blog team also maintains her own blog: Courtenay Brinckerhoff (http://got2run4me.com), Lauren Seserko (http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com/), Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan (http://www.tryitandyoumay.com), and Kimberly Westrich (http://kimruns.blogspot.com). 

One other highlight from the Fall Kickoff Reception: Dr. Bryan Murtaugh and Nicole Shenk from MedStar Sports Medicine -- our newest partner -- spoke about the upcoming Medstar Educational seminars which will be held leading up to the race. These seminars will concentrate on Strength and Training, Race Nutrition, Race strategies and Recovery. These seminars will round out the virtual training, on line program and in person training programs we offer.

The 2016 event will mark the 14th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $7 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 Gatorade, Gold's Gym, MarathonFoto, MedStar Sports Medicine, Navy Federal Credit Union, New Balance, 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 in Utica, NY, San Juan, PR, Washington, DC, Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA. The circuit is committed to a drug-free sport and funds USADA to conduct drug testing at all circuit events.

In addition to being sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the Road Runners Club of America, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run recently earned Gold certification from the Council for Responsible Sport for its many environmentally and socially responsible initiatives.

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' needs first is why more than 104 million Americans do their banking at one of America's 6,300 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.