Elite Runner Info
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run welcomes elite athletes from the United States and around the globe. The event takes great pride in being the only event in the Nation's Capital offering significant prize money to elite athletes. Supporting elite athletes has been an important part of our mission since the dawn of the prize money era in the early 1980s. The event has featured Olympic Gold Medalists, World Champions, and World and American Record holders over the years. In fact, since the race started in 1973, the annual Runner’s Rite of Spring ® has been the site of 10 world and nine American records. The first World Record was set in 1986 when Portugal's Rosa Mota ran 53:09, and the most recent was in 2007 when Ethiopia's Teyba Erkesso set the Single-sex Women's World Record with a time of 51:44 (which still stands). The first American Record set at the event was in 1976 by Julie Shea in 57:04, and the most recent by Janet Bawcom with a Single-sex Women's American Record of 52:12 in 2014. (Note: Credit Union Cherry Blossom committee member Keira D'Amato broke Janet Bawcom's Single-sex Women's American Record for 10 Miles at the Up Dawg 10 Miler, presented by the Credit Union Cherry Blossom on November 24, 2020 with a time of 51:23.)
Our elite athlete program consists of travel and lodging for qualified athletes. Our time standards for consideration as an elite athlete are as follows:
Men: Sub 48:00 10-mile time (or equivalent at a similar distance)
Women: Sub 56:00 10-mile time (or equivalent at a similar distance)
Athletes meeting these standards should contact Elite Athlete Coordinator Bill Orr at [email protected].
Due to the uncertainty engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 prize purse is currently to be determined. Decisions will be made soon so be sure to check back for updates.
Click Here for a list of the 10 World Records and the 9 American Records set at the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.
Seeded Runners
Top open and age-group runners are eligible for special seeded numbers. Seeded runners may be admitted after the race closing and will be allowed to start the race in the Yellow Corral immediately behind the elite athletes. Seeded runners are strongly urged to apply for seeded status prior to the opening of the lottery on June 1, 2021. The cut off date for Seeded Runners to enter the race is July 31, 2021. Note: The seeded runner qualifying times have not changed from 2020; however, due to the near shutdown of racing opportunities since April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seeded runner candidates may submit performances at events since September 1, 2019 for consideration.
To qualify for a seeded runner entry (and skip the lottery process), please send an email to Sara Baugh at [email protected]. Seeded runner candidates are strongly urged to apply for seeded status prior to the opening of the lottery on June 1. Applications should include the following information:
- Name
- Gender
- Age and
- Verifiable Race Results (from distance events 8K & longer, and held since September 1, 2019).
Qualifying times for 10 miles are as follows (proof of performance since September 1, 2019 is required):
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 | 1:06:00 |
1:14:00
|
| 20-24 | 57:00 |
1:07:00
|
| 25-29 | 57:00 |
1:07:00
|
| 30-34 | 58:00 |
1:08:00
|
| 35-39 | 59:00 |
1:10:00
|
| 40-44 | 1:03:00 |
1:13:00 |
| 45-49 | 1:05:00 |
1:14:00 |
| 50-54 | 1:08:00 |
1:18:00 |
| 55-59 | 1:10:00 |
1:22:00 |
| 60-64 | 1:14:00 |
1:29:00 |
| 65-69 | 1:22:00 |
1:38:00 |
| 70-74 | 1:30:00 |
1:50:00 |
| 75-79 | 1:45:00 |
2:05:00 |
| 80+ | 2:15:00 |
2:18:00 |
