By Ray Birch
WASHINGTON—The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run was back in its traditional time slot this past weekend—after the pandemic canceled one event and postponed another—drawing more than 15,000 participants and raising more than $323,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The Credit Union SACTOWN Run in Sacramento, Calif., also returned and took place on the same day. Both events also include a 5k run/walk.
Leigh Philibosian, executive director of Credit Union Miracle Day, which oversees the race that winds through many of the capital’s best-known landmarks, told CUToday.info after the race those difficult pandemic years actually taught race organizers a virtual component of the race is valuable.
Philibosian said that virtual component, which allows runners to run in their own cities over a two-week period and then post their times for the run, has been a great way to expand participation, and it was in place this past Sunday.
“This year more than 15,000 runners participated, including hundreds from credit unions,” Philibosian said. “The virtual component is really needed, we have found. Runners like that, maybe because they just can’t get away for the weekend.”
A ’Great Day’
Philibosian emphasized it was just good to be back to a live event at its normal season of the year.
“It was just a great day. Great weather, the cherry blossoms are out, great participation from the credit unions and we raised $323,000 for CMN hospitals—that's a big success,” said Philibosian.
The last time the race was held in person at this time of the year was in April of 2019.
“We did have a postponed run in 2021 that ran in September, which was more difficult because of the pandemic. And, it was just a different time of year. That run had a different vibe to it being that it was in the fall and warmer than normal,” said Philibosian. “But Sunday’s run was great. The runners came out in full force. It was a full field. We were back to having a lottery for runners to participate.”
More than 500 credit union volunteers supported the run.
During Sunday’s event, men’s winner—Kenyan Nicholas Kosimbei—tied the course record set in 2012 with a time of 45:15. Women’s winner Susanna Sullivan, a resident of Reston, Va., became the first local runner to win the race since 1983, finishing with a time of 52:32.
The full race results can be found here.
Capitol Hill Contingent
Philibosian said the results from the Capitol Hill Competition, made up of teams of people who work in Washington, would be released soon, as well as the results from the credit union teams.
U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union and Congressional FCU sponsored the Capitol Hill Competition in which Senate and House offices form teams and compete for the Congressional Cup. The team with the fastest run time displays the Cup in their congressional office for one year. More than 500 Congressional staffers on 61 teams ran this year.
Numerous other luminaries in Washington participated.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland also addressed attendees before running the race herself. Members of Congress who ran Sunday included Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA).
Lessons in ‘Pivoting’
“But this was really the first normal run since 2019,” said Philibosian. “Of course, the race officials were monitoring everything related to COVID and the resulting restrictions. In September the run had to go off with all the runners wearing masks and only taking them off when they actually started to run. But, now, with COVID-19 infections down we did not have to have any of those restrictions in place.”
Just like all live events during the pandemic, organizers had to learn to make adjustments. And one big change to the run in recent years was adding a virtual component. Philibosian said that virtual leg of the run is needed and only expands the field and donations for credit unions.
“When it comes to pivoting, you take those lessons that you've learned over the last few years and make adjustments. The fact we were able to hold the race virtually and now expand it with the virtual runners has been a good lesson learned. The virtual component is likely here to stay,” Philibosian said. “Overall, it was great to see everybody back in person. There was lot of great energy going around the course all day.”
More Than $10 Million Raised
Since credit unions became the title sponsors in 2002, more than $10 million has been donated to children’s hospitals nationwide, a large portion of which comes directly from the participation of Congressional staffers working on Capitol Hill.
Next year will be the 50th year for the run.
“We are planning a lot of things for next year,” Philibosian said. “There will be all kinds of celebrations, and we will be making announcements.”