FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Applications for 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K
Run-Walk Lottery To Be Accepted Between Monday,
December 1 and 11:59 P.M. Friday, December 12
2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Official Race T-shirt Unveiled
and Social Runner Contest Winners Announced At Fall Kickoff Reception
November 24, 2014, Washington, DC: With the opening of the entry lottery
period just days away, organizers of the 43rd 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 12, 2015 event:
Applications for the lottery to enter the 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom
Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk will be accepted from Monday, December 1
through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2014. The status of all lottery
registrants -- whether accepted or not -- will be posted on the event
website by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16. All individuals who entered the
2014 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 at
http://www.cherryblossom.org/generalinfo/entryinfo.php on or before
December 1 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 at:
http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/cucherryblossom/
Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers hosted over 300 race enthusiasts at
their annual Fall Kickoff Reception on Friday evening, November 14 at the
201 Bar in Washington, DC. Among the highlights of the evening were the
presentation of the official 2015 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
stunning design quite different than those of recent years, featuring a
kaleidoscope of cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the Washington
Monument. The design was instantly embraced by those in attendance and on
the event's social media outlets. Fall Kickoff attendees selected ash grey
for the t-shirt color in a 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 2015 Social Runners,
who will promote the event through Facebook, Twitter and other social
media. "I believe our 2015 social runners will engage successfully with
their fellow runners in a fun and informative way," she said.
The innovative social runner's program was launched in 2012. Applications
for the 2015 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.
Megan Sullivan is a runner and triathlete who lives in Takoma Park, MD with
two cats, who are very unimpressed by her athletic pursuits. When she's not
at her job with the federal government or out training, she can be found
singing, reading, or on the couch trapped by another Law and Order
marathon. This will be her fifth Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run. She
tweets as @elbowglitter and blogs at www.elbowglitter.com.
Lauren Rice is a midwesterner-turned-DC-transplant who still geeks out
every time she runs down The National Mall. She is happiest with her camera
in hand and loves to cook up delicious recipes for her food blog, Just a
Pinch (www.justapinchblog.com). When not crunching numbers as a non-profit
financial analyst, Lauren is teaching spinning, running the streets of
Capitol Hill with her lab, Gus, or continuing her studies towards becoming
a Registered Dietitian. This will be her third Credit Union Cherry Blossom
Run and she's got her eyes on a PR! Follow her adventures on twitter and
instagram as @laurenlatelydc.
In appreciation of their efforts to help generate online buzz about the
race, Megan and Lauren 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 team of Credit Union Cherry
Blossom Run bloggers has grown to five. 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 Elizabeth
Pagel Hogan 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 the "slower half" of a pair of
running twins 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 of Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run Blog, each member of
the blog team also maintains their own blog: Courtenay Brinckerhoff
http://got2run4me.com, Natalie DiBlasio http://runnersbreakfast.com, Ryan
Hudson www.stridenation.com, Malinda Ann Hill www.twinsruninourfamily.com
and Kimberly Westrich http://kimruns.blogspot.com.
Other highlights from the Fall Kickoff Reception, hosted by the 201 Bar on
Capitol Hill, included:
- Designation of Cherry Mint Julep and "CherryTini" as official Kickoff
Party cocktails
- A raffle of 25 lottery exemptions to the 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom
Ten Mile Run.
- Music, food and drinks -- a good time was had by all!
The 2015 event will mark the 14th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union
Miracle Day. Since 2002, over $6.5 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 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 New Balance, Gatorade,
Gold's Gym, Navy Federal Credit Union, Larabar, BAE Systems, E-Trade,
MarathonFoto 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 on Utica, NY; San Juan, PR;
Washington, DC; Spokane, WA; and Atlanta, GA. The circuit is committed to a
drug-free sport and engages USADA to conduct drug testing at all circuit
events
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