7 March 2017

Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

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

Website: www.cherryblossom.org

2017 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Gains Gold Level Inspire Status from Council For Responsible Sport

Race organizers' long-term commitment to producing a sustainable event results in invitation to join a very exclusive club

March 7, 2017, Washington, DC: The 2017 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, to be held on April 2nd, has been awarded Gold Level Inspire Certification by the Council for Responsible Sport, an Oregon-based non-profit promoting sustainability in sports. The Council's Inspire events represent the pinnacle of achievement and stand as an example and inspiration to others.

Inspire event status is awarded by invitation to events that have achieved multiple certifications from the Council, with the intention of recognizing the legacy that sporting events committed to sustainability and thoughtful resource management provide to their audiences and communities. Inspire certified events are required to provide important sustainability metrics and are expected to share their story with fellow event organizers. Inspire event organizers are also asked to mentor other Council-affiliated events on aspects of their responsible sport program.

According to Shelley Villalobos, Managing Director of the Council for Responsible Sport: "I am delighted to grant Gold Level Inspire Certification to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run! This award recognizes a legacy of certified responsible performance by event organizers as well as their commitment to mentor other events interested in becoming more sustainable. Following three consecutive biennial certifications by the group - Silver in 2011 and 2013, Gold in 2015 - I look forward to supporting the work of Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run organizers at this new level of engagement for years to come."

Event Director Phil Stewart said, "We are pleased to share what we have learned about creating a sustainable event while receiving silver and gold certification through the Council for Responsible Sport, and hope other events will jump on the sustainability bandwagon in the years ahead."

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run is just the fifth event to have earned Inspire status from the Council. The 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open was recently granted Evergreen Level Inspire Certification, while the upcoming Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon has been awarded Gold Level Inspire Certification; the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Old Bill's Fun Run, in Jackson Hole, were awarded Gold and Silver Level Inspire Certification, respectively, last fall.

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk attracts some 16,000 participants on a course that starts and finishes on the Washington Memorial Grounds and passes by all of Washington DC's major memorials. The 45th running of the event is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2017, with the 10-mile starting at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Run-Walk starting at 8:40 a.m. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Kids' Run will move to a new time and location this year: Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m. at the National Building Museum.

Over 27,000 runners submitted applications to participate in the 2017 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K Run-Walk, and the list of accepted runners represents all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. The event is limited to 16,000 finishers by the national Park Service.

The 2017 event will mark the 16th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $7.5 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 North America. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC's own Children's National ("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 in partnership with CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU, is the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, 5K Run-Walk and Kids' Run. Supporting sponsors include E Trade, Gatorade, Gold's Gym, Mamma Lucia, MarathonFoto, MedStar Sports Medicine, Navy Federal Credit Union, Orrick, Potomac River Running, Suburban Solutions and Under Armour.

The event is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit (PRRO.org), a non-marathon prize money circuit with events in Utica, NY; Washington, DC; Spokane, WA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Tampa, FL. The circuit is committed to a drug-free sport and funds USADA to conduct drug testing at all circuit events. In 2017, the winning male and female at Cherry Blossom will earn the $10,000 PRRO Super Bonus if they go on to win the PRRO Championship at the EQT Pittsburgh Ten Miler in fall 2017; if they place in the top 10 at the PRRO Championship, they will earn the PRRO Event Champion's bonus of $1,500.

In addition to being sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the Road Runners Club of America, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run has earned Gold Level Inspire Certification from the Council For Responsible Sport for its many environmentally and socially responsible initiatives. www.CherryBlossom.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' needs first is why more than 108 million Americans do their banking at one of America's 6,063 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

About the Council for Responsible Sport:

The mission of the Council for Responsible Sport is to provide objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work event organizers are doing, and to actively support event organizers who strive to make a difference in their communities. The Council for Responsible Sport is an Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. www.CouncilForResponsibleSport.org