Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Washington, DC
- 10 Miler, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
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 … MORE
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lots of pros and cons
This race is very flat. There are potholes to dodge, however. There's one intersection in the beginning that was quite disorienting because there were runners coming/going in all four directions. … MORE
This race is very flat. There are potholes to dodge, however. There’s one intersection in the beginning that was quite disorienting because there were runners coming/going in all four directions. It was ok scenery but nothing spectacular-the problem with making any cherry blossom race is that they might not blossom when you think they will and were definitely not at peak bloom. There were so many runners in the beginning it’s almost impossible to not get boxed in, and it’s almost impossible to stop without hitting the people behind you. I actually kind of enjoyed that though because it pushed me to stay at a consistent pace. Well organized.
Great tour of DC
This 10mile running tour of DC has great scenery. The production and logistics was manageable with so many parking and arrival options. I loved running Memorial Bridge and Haines Point. … MORE
This 10mile running tour of DC has great scenery. The production and logistics was manageable with so many parking and arrival options. I loved running Memorial Bridge and Haines Point. It was a bit crowded at the start even though corrals were used. This will be another annual 10Miler (Baltimore/Annapolis/Army) for me in the DMV area.
Beautiful race but disorganized finish
I've run this race twice, in 2022 and 2024. Pros: 1) Beautiful course that starts by the Washington Monument and goes past several other memorials, with the last few miles … MORE
I’ve run this race twice, in 2022 and 2024.
Pros:
1) Beautiful course that starts by the Washington Monument and goes past several other memorials, with the last few miles through rows of cherry blossoms in East Potomac Park. Also flat as a pancake.
2) Fantastic communication leading up to the race and super detailed website with all relevant information
3) Option to opt out of a t-shirt or purchase a medal – great sustainability effort which also lowers the registration cost if you don’t care about swag
Cons:
1) Bag check at the finish line in 2024 was incredibly disorganized. It was not like this in 2022 so I’m not sure what went wrong this time (lack of volunteers?) but I literally waited 45 minutes in line to get my bag back.
2) The course can get pretty congested at times, especially in the sections that are out and back
Nice spring race
Nice flat course but very crowded for the first 3 miles. So, it is hard to get a good start. The race is run well, but there were still challenges … MORE
Nice flat course but very crowded for the first 3 miles. So, it is hard to get a good start. The race is run well, but there were still challenges with the bag drop-off and pick-up. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms were long gone.
Always a great race
One of my favorite races. The course runs past many famous Washington D.C. monuments. It starts and finishes in between the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian African American museum. The … MORE
One of my favorite races. The course runs past many famous Washington D.C. monuments. It starts and finishes in between the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian African American museum.
The course if flat and fast. There are plenty of volunteers helping ensure that everyone has a great time. Unfortunately, this year the bag check lines were extremely long. I don’t blame it on the volunteers. They were great. The race organizers should analyze this and correct it for next year. It was the only blemish on an outstanding annual event.
Electric race atmosphere, big race !
A nice, scenic race with professional elite runners and amateurs. The race shirts are always nice. Popular race that sells out each year. Volunteer to get guaranteed entry for the … MORE
A nice, scenic race with professional elite runners and amateurs. The race shirts are always nice. Popular race that sells out each year. Volunteer to get guaranteed entry for the following year. Willing to return and run it again!
Great course in the Nation's Capital
This was race one of the Double Blossom (5K &10Miler). Although I work in the capital, running the closed streets felt so new. Decent course with no hills but great … MORE
This was race one of the Double Blossom (5K &10Miler). Although I work in the capital, running the closed streets felt so new. Decent course with no hills but great views around the capital for such a 5K. Production was great and all the volunteers did a great job of communicating to Double Blossom runners about the additional line. Raceday packet pickup is available or you can attend the expo at the National Building Museum.
Great race and great weather
Weather was great and crowds were heavy! Lots of people on the course, we were packed in like sardines. Actual race was great, however the post-race was a shit show. … MORE
Weather was great and crowds were heavy! Lots of people on the course, we were packed in like sardines. Actual race was great, however the post-race was a shit show. No medals, 90 minute wait times to collect bag drop off, and shirts sucked.
Fast course tho!
Festive Atmosphere as always
The combination of Cherry Blossoms and the historical monuments of our nation's capital are impossible to beat. This was my second time running the race. I have to ask myself … MORE
The combination of Cherry Blossoms and the historical monuments of our nation’s capital are impossible to beat. This was my second time running the race. I have to ask myself why I don’t run this every year!
The volunteers are great, the course is beautiful, and everyone is excited to participate.
The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler along with the Marine Corp Marathon are the best races in DC and there is a reason there is a lottery for both.
Beautiful Run in DC
Loved this race- it was a beautiful but chilly day- DC is a great place to have a race! Everything was smooth and easy to navigate. It's great to run … MORE
Loved this race- it was a beautiful but chilly day- DC is a great place to have a race! Everything was smooth and easy to navigate. It’s great to run the streets of DC and cross over the river and back. The swag is just okay- you have to pay extra for a medal- which I usually don’t want anyway. I would do this race every year! But my son just graduated from one of the DC universities, so may not be back
Flat, scenic course
I enjoyed this race even though I wasn't in top form that day. It's nice and flat and you beautiful with the cherry blossom trees in bloom. It was well … MORE
I enjoyed this race even though I wasn’t in top form that day. It’s nice and flat and you beautiful with the cherry blossom trees in bloom. It was well organized and had good course support. My only complaint is the swag, particularly the shirt. It looks nice, but fits really weird in the arms. If you wanna fun ten mile race, this is a good one to do.
Too crowded at beginning of race
Flat, scenic course through downtown. There are lots of turns at the beginning of the race and it is very crowded. So, it is important to get a good starting … MORE
Flat, scenic course through downtown. There are lots of turns at the beginning of the race and it is very crowded. So, it is important to get a good starting position. The first wave needed to be organized better; there seemed to be a very wide range of runners with paces ranging from sub 6:00/mile to 8:30+. I was in the first wave and it took me 3-4 miles before I had enough space to run consistently at my target pace. The bag drop-off & pick-up wait times were ridiculous – 20+ minutes before the race and 40+ minutes after (in cold, windy conditions).
Flat scenic course
The course starts and ends around the Washington Monument. I found it very crowded for the first few miles even though I started in the first wave. There are several … MORE
The course starts and ends around the Washington Monument. I found it very crowded for the first few miles even though I started in the first wave. There are several hairpin turns which also slowed things down. The course is flat so I was still able to set a PR. It was a scenic course, but unfortunately, the cherry blossoms had their peak bloom a week before the race.
Great Race with Great Views
Very nice staff that were super helpful/organized. Fun course with great views of the capital/monuments. Good time of the year and this had perfect weather. MORE
Very nice staff that were super helpful/organized.
Fun course with great views of the capital/monuments.
Good time of the year and this had perfect weather.
Beautiful but crowded run by DC sights
Well organized race, lots of vendors at expo with anything you might have forgotten. Cool course starting right by Washington Monument and running MORE
Well organized race, lots of vendors at expo with anything you might have forgotten. Cool course starting right by Washington Monument and running
Scenic, flat, great logistics
Just beautiful run past monuments, along the water, and through cherry blossoms. A bit of an uphill at the very end to keep it real. Very well run. Nice tshirt … MORE
Just beautiful run past monuments, along the water, and through cherry blossoms. A bit of an uphill at the very end to keep it real. Very well run. Nice tshirt design but still a cotton T unless you spring for the upgrade. The post-race food options were limited (bananas, granola bars, water) but that’s the only complaint.
The unique September run was great
So I entered this race somewhat on a lark as my first post-pandemic race. There were extra spots available after the lottery closed so I signed up. And now it's … MORE
So I entered this race somewhat on a lark as my first post-pandemic race. There were extra spots available after the lottery closed so I signed up. And now it’s my top A-List race and the one I’m most looking forward to running again next year (if I make it in the lottery). While normally in Spring, this run was in September. So it was blossom-less, but the weather was dryer but warmer than ideal for running. However as someone who has lived in the DMV for 15 years, this is pretty close to the hometown race. The course is all in DC, except for when you cross the Memorial Bridge to Arlington. With the endless construction though, the course could always change.
As this was my first race, there were a few things I didn’t really understand yet. My times have been improving, but my corral was based on the time from my semi-virtual 10K I ran in June in the heat. I had improved substantially and had a time goal and was planning on following a pace group. The corrals though are based on your previous reported time so I ended up in the corral behind the pace group of my goal time. Anyway I went on solo and beat my goal time so next year I should move up a corral and that I think puts me closer to my current pace unless I get faster again.
The medal and technical shirt were add-ons. I was initially put off by that, but now that medals are starting to pile up on my desk, I get it. I did pay for the medal this year and didn’t get the technical shirt upgrade. Next year I’ll probably skip the medal and may get the tech shirt upgrade depending on design.
The expo was small this year (or so I’m told – its the only one for this race I’ve been to) due to pandemic recovery but in the National Building Museum. Easy enough to get the bib, look around, and get back to the hotel.
This race has the most solid production of any I’ve done so far. Long detailed emails with the info I need to know, clear website with updated news and the raceday ran like a clock. While other races have had me hunting for information or stalking Facebook comments, this race brought the info I needed to me instead of having me hunt for it. That I really enjoyed. The lottery for next year’s run in April opens in early January I believe and it is at present, my most hopeful race to get into.
Amazing backdrop, great organization
This is a world class race and I'll continue to sign up every year. The scenery is beautiful and the race well organized. I can't wait for next year. MORE
This is a world class race and I’ll continue to sign up every year. The scenery is beautiful and the race well organized. I can’t wait for next year.
The Cherry Blossoms are great
Overall I do recommend this race. It doesn't have as many runners as some I've done, but it feels more crowded because there isn't as much space. It was very … MORE
Overall I do recommend this race. It doesn’t have as many runners as some I’ve done, but it feels more crowded because there isn’t as much space. It was very similar to being a sardine. Thank goodness I wasn’t trying for any kind of PR because it would have been super difficult where I was.
There were regular water stops that had Gatorade. Medical spots where plentiful and there was plenty of course support. Downside, while the roads are paved, they haven’t been paved recently and they’re full of potholes – I saw at least 2 runners go down. While the Cherry Blossoms are pretty, they’re really on the second half of the race, other parts are much less attractive, but full props for the race organizers for getting all those roads closed.
There was tons of food at the post race party, but it was crazy crowded, so make sure you have a plan if you need to meet up with someone.
The packet pickup was crowded, but pretty fast, they knew what they were doing. The expo was, again, crowded. 2 things that kind of sucked were needing to up grade to a tech shirt, and paying additional for a medal. I get, since they want money to go to charity, but still.
almost perfect
The course changes almost every year due to various construction but it's virtually flat. The weather this year was perfection and the blossoms were at peak - I smiled the … MORE
The course changes almost every year due to various construction but it’s virtually flat. The weather this year was perfection and the blossoms were at peak – I smiled the entire 10 miles because of how glorious it was. There are a lot of runners and it never really thins out so it’s hard to keep pace while dodging so many potholes and people. The expo had great speakers – I saw three of them on Friday and Saturday. The kids run on Saturday was fun. My six year old was thrilled to get a medal and t-shirt! I paid to upgrade my t-shirt and paid to get a medal. I’m a solid back-of-the-packer so there are few if any snacks left by the time I finish and that’s frustrating when you see other finishers (and non-finishers!!!) with armloads of extra goodies that are long gone for me. It’s a bummer but I got my banana, water and granola bar. This was the first year I’ve done bag check and while drop off was a breeze, pick up was a cluster. The race director addressed the issue and I’m sure it will be better next year. And I’ll find a way to pack my car keys so I don’t need to bag check. I use ParkMobile to secure a parking spot. My family takes the metro and then we all drive home. Maybe someday metro will open up earlier.