Page 62 - /images/2019/2019_Media_Guide

The Runner’s Rite of Spring ®

2015 (April 12) 2016 (April 3)
For the first time in its history, the Credit Union Cherry Blos- The 2016 race hardly felt like “The Runner’s Rite of Spring,” as
som was not a 10 mile. Due to an accident on the course just 90 wind gusts clocked as high as 47 miles per hour howled across
minutes before race time, organizers had to scramble to come the Washington Monument Grounds during the pre-dawn
up with an alternate route because of the accident investiga- set up hours, prompting the organizers to dismantle anything
tion. The results showed some eye-popping times for anyone that could become a projectile, including tents and signs. The
who did not read the explanation that the course was 9.39 decision to allow the race to take place at all wasn’t made until
miles long after the re-routing. Any disappointment over the 5:00 a.m. on race morning and wind gusts between 30 and 40
shortened course was more than counterbalanced by the most miles an hour greeted the over 16,000 runners who showed up.
spectacular display of blossoms at their absolute peak on a The $10,000 bonus offered to the first U.S. male or female to
windless, gorgeous morning. Stephen Sambu notched his sec- break the American record (split if both records fell) was safe
ond title in a row, this time with a more comfortable 9-second on this day. The elite mens race was won by Sam Chelanga, the
margin instead of his eyelash win in 2014. He clocked 43:20. first U.S. male to win the race since Chris Fox took the title
American Jake Riley finished in second place eight seconds in 1990. Chelanga, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Kenya,
later, the highest men’s finishing place by an American since prevailed by a single second over Silas Kipruto of Kenya with
Bill Reifsnyder was the runner-up in 1991. Daniel Salel, who a wind-impeded time of 48:26. A second American, Martin
was on the short end of the eyelash in 2014, ended up in third. Hehir, finished third in 48:29. Due to the winds, the women’s
Training partners Mary Wacera and Cynthia Limo separated advance start was mercifully abandoned. Kenyan Veronica
themselves from the rest of the women’s field by the eight-mile Nyaruai Wanjiru of Kenya won in 53:12 and said, “Because
mark and ran together toward the finish line. Wacera edged of the wind, I didn’t look at the time.” She prevailed by eight-
ahead by a few yards for the win - both received the identical seconds over Ethiopian Buze Diriba. Two American women
time of 48:35. The top American woman was Serena Burla in with local connections placed in the top six — Maegan
sixth place with a time of 50:18. Ben Beach kept his perfect Krifchin of Silver Spring, MD was third in 55:01 and Serena
attendance intact as the only runner to have run all 43 editions Burla of Stafford, VA was sixth in 55:58. The most recognizable
of the race with a 1:27:59 finish. Dixon Hemphill, 90, finished runner of the weekend was 2004 Olympic silver medalist, 2009
the 5K and said, “I gave this race my all.” He clocked 47:01, two New York City Marathon winner and 2014 Boston Marathon
minutes faster than his 2014 time. Longtime Deputy Race Di- winner Meb Keflezighi who opted to pace runners hoping to
rector Irv Newman received the first Les Kinion Outstanding break 1:00:00 just six weeks after placing second in the 2016
Service Award, named for long time race volunteer Les Kinion U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. Despite the conditions, 16,228
who died in the summer of 2014. finished the 10 mile and 1,932 completed the 5K. Children’s
Miracle Network received a check for $505,000 bringing
the credit union era contributions to $7.5 million dollars. It
seemed fitting that Logistics Coordinator George Tarrico
who supervised the construction and the quick dismantling
of the Washington Monument Grounds due to the winds was
awarded the second Les Kinion Outstanding Service Award.

2015 Men’s winner, Stephen Sambu, and runner-up,
Jake Riley, share a laugh during the awards ceremony.
2016 Men’s winner, Sam Chelanga was the first American
male winner since 1990.
62 2019 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Media Guide