28 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(not for publication)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 Kids' Run Moves to New Date, Place and Time

Change gives parents a chance to enjoy the Kids' Run without the distraction of running their own 10-Mile or 5K; Kid's Run registration will remain open until 500 participant limit is reached

March 28, 2017, Washington, DC: Race organizers announced today that this year's Credit Union Cherry Blossom Kids' Run, a 1/2 mile fun run for kids ages 5 to 12, will move to a new time and location this year: Saturday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the National Building Museum. This change is intended to shine a spotlight on the Kids' Run and increase the focus on the charity for which credit unions and runners fundraise year-round - Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), including Children's National in Washington, DC.

Race Director Phil Stewart said: "There is such a natural connection between our Kids' Run and the fundraising which has been done by the event for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - over $8 million dollars has been raised since 2002 - that we felt it was time to give the kids their own special day by moving the Kids' Run to Saturday. This opens up the opportunity for parents to bring their children to the historic National Building Museum to attend the expo and see the exhibits while mom and dad pick up their bibs for Sunday."

Since credit unions became the sponsors of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in 2002, just over $8 million has been donated to CMN Hospitals. Credit unions are the among the top three contributors to CMN Hospitals, after Walmart and Costco, having donated $12 million in 2016 alone. New this year, credit unions are sponsoring a special "Kids for Kids" fundraiser at the Kids' Run.

The field is limited to 500 participants, and a limited number of spots remain. Online registration will be available through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at www.CherryBlossom.org. If the limit is not reached by then, there will be registration (and packet pick-up for pre-registered participants) at the Expo and Packet Pickup at the National Building Museum on Friday, March 31 between 3:00 and 7:45 p.m., and between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Parents of prospective registrants are encouraged to check the website to see if spots remain before heading into town for Friday or Saturday sign up. The registration fee of $10 includes a t-shirt. No times or places will be kept, but all finishers will receive a medal.

The Kids' Run will be run in heats for ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12, plus a special "Family Heat" for families with multiple kids of different ages. The race is on an out-and-back course and is closely monitored by sentries, but parents are allowed to run with their children. The first heat for five year-olds will start at 9:30 a.m.

Festivities will begin around 8:00 a.m., when kids will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Bear from Children's National Medical Center, a patient family, and hospital representatives, as well as participate in fun fitness activities provided by the PHD On the Move Program, developed by the Metropolitan Washington YMCA. There will also be a Credit Union Activities Tent for the Kids for Kids Fundraiser with gifts and icons.

For more information and a complete schedule of Kids' Run activities, please visit http://cherryblossom.org/theraces/kidsrun.php.

About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile

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.

To learn more, visit 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