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
Local Historical Weather (Apr 03):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 82 | 81 | 53 | 71 | 54 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 55 | 49 | 41 | 38 |
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Fun Run
Different course than it typically is (didn’t know since it was first time running). Was well produced and tons of runners. Hardest thing was going uphill both ways and trying … MORE
Different course than it typically is (didn’t know since it was first time running). Was well produced and tons of runners. Hardest thing was going uphill both ways and trying to pass hordes of people in the beginning of the race.
Flat, fast course in springtime DC
This is my fifth time running this race so you know I enjoy it. DC in the spring is a nice place to be. The race was well-organized and the … MORE
This is my fifth time running this race so you know I enjoy it. DC in the spring is a nice place to be. The race was well-organized and the course runs by a lot of famous sites. The course is flat and is fast as long as the winds are not strong. This year, there was not much wind.
This was a bucket list race
For years I’ve heard how great the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is, so I finally ran it in 2026. I always enjoy racing in DC, and this course delivers plenty … MORE
For years I’ve heard how great the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is, so I finally ran it in 2026. I always enjoy racing in DC, and this course delivers plenty of scenic highlights with views of historic landmarks along the way. The course itself is mostly flat and very runnable.
This year’s race was on the warm side, and unfortunately the cherry blossoms had already peaked before race weekend. Even so, it was still a really enjoyable day and a well-supported event with great energy.
That said, there are a few logistical challenges worth noting. The race is very crowded, which can impact the overall experience. Pre-race port-o-potty lines were extremely long, so plan accordingly. The finish area was also a bit confusing — I didn’t clearly see where water or the goody bags were located, and medals (which require an additional purchase) were distributed in a separate area farther away from the finish line.
One other drawback: I paid for the upgraded finisher tech shirt, but by the time I got to the expo on Saturday, they were already out of my size.
Overall, I’m glad I finally experienced this iconic race. While I’m not sure it will become an annual tradition for me, it’s definitely one I’d recommend running at least once.
First 5k course!!
Had a ton of fun at my first 5k event! The race was well organized and the energy of the crowd at the end really pushed me to finish strong. … MORE
Had a ton of fun at my first 5k event! The race was well organized and the energy of the crowd at the end really pushed me to finish strong. The people racing around me were great and the volunteers were so amazing and motivating. I absolutely loved the medal this year too, really pretty!
Unfortunately, the course itself was pretty meh. I think they changed the route this year due to some construction along the tidal basin. The 10 miler definitely had the prettier course, and I saw 0 cherry blossoms the entire 5k race. We kind of ran alongside a highway ramp which seemed pretty random. Also lots of weaving between people who stopped to walk during the race (but probably partially my fault for starting further back in the pack than I should have).
Still, I think this was a route to be used only this year and next year it will change back to its “usual”. I am hopefully going to do the 10 miler next year. Like I said, super fun atmosphere and everything was communicated well!
Decent Race
Perfect weather. Best race route in DC if you ask me. Overall really fun time, will run it again. CONS: Crowds (super crowded but what can you do), Corrals are … MORE
Perfect weather. Best race route in DC if you ask me. Overall really fun time, will run it again. CONS: Crowds (super crowded but what can you do), Corrals are really weridly set up, hard to get to your corral, never enough port-o-potties (there was no joke over 200 people in front of my just in my line and the same for the other 30 lines, and the weridest thing of all was you have to buy a metal seperatly and then after the rae go line up for your metal about a half mile away at a table accross the field. Just make the metal part of the bib cost and hand them out at the finish line like every other race? Post race snacks are lacking.
Still a fun time!
Great place to race a 5K!
Not the fastest course with some tight 180 turns and also not the fastest field due to the bigger 10 Mile event the following day, but had a great time … MORE
Not the fastest course with some tight 180 turns and also not the fastest field due to the bigger 10 Mile event the following day, but had a great time racing the Double Blossom. The location for this event is great and got some amazing photos.
Fast course, big event, great racing!
Did the Double Blossom (run 5K on Sat, 10Mi on Sun) and had a blast. The cherry blossoms were a miss this year but I'm sure they're stunning in other … MORE
Did the Double Blossom (run 5K on Sat, 10Mi on Sun) and had a blast. The cherry blossoms were a miss this year but I’m sure they’re stunning in other years. Professional world class field but a great race for runners of all levels.
Fast course if weather is good
It was good weather for the race this year (overcast, mild temps, and no wind). This was my fourth year running the race and my time seems to be more … MORE
It was good weather for the race this year (overcast, mild temps, and no wind). This was my fourth year running the race and my time seems to be more dependent on the weather than my fitness. Nevertheless, it is a well-organized race that should be on your bucket list.
Packed!
Overall a great race with top tier production. Info was consistently communicated both on their website and by email leading up to the race. Race site being at the Washington … MORE
Overall a great race with top tier production. Info was consistently communicated both on their website and by email leading up to the race. Race site being at the Washington Monument Grounds was probably one of my favorite aspects of the race. Another thing I really liked was the option to forego a medal in order to keep race entry costs low.
Given the popularity of the race and the fact that participation was limited to 20k runners by way of the lottery entry system, the event was packed to say the least. There were very few instances that I can remember where I didn’t have to weave through people to pass. Aid stations were spaced out well, with plenty of volunteers manning each location.
Not sure if I’ll be running this again anytime soon, but it was definitely an experience I do not regret signing up for!
Fun Course with Iconic Sights
Flat course with a hill at the end, the weather this year was around 70F and cloudy. Caught the cherry blossoms at the tail end of the season, but last … MORE
Flat course with a hill at the end, the weather this year was around 70F and cloudy. Caught the cherry blossoms at the tail end of the season, but last blooms were still beautiful. Scenery was great running by the monuments and Potomac River. Very well organized during the day of the race.
Bucket list race
Even though the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin were all gone, there were still quite a few in East Potomac Park, and the course is otherwise so beautiful that … MORE
Even though the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin were all gone, there were still quite a few in East Potomac Park, and the course is otherwise so beautiful that I wasn’t too bummed about it. Weather was perfect for running. The race was well organized all the way around, from expo to bag check to corrals. I really enjoyed seeing the pros run by on the out-and-back sections. The course was mostly flat, but there is a hill at the end, and there are some potholes along the road to watch out for. I did like the T-shirt design, but the medal (which was a $15 add-on) was underwhelming. I would make a trip for this race again.
Cherry Blossom
It was easy to walk to from my hotel the Arlo, race was gorgeous, great views tons of spectators out cheering, the volunteers were amazing. The start time was 7:15 … MORE
It was easy to walk to from my hotel the Arlo, race was gorgeous, great views tons of spectators out cheering, the volunteers were amazing. The start time was 7:15 for the elite runners and the corrals are crazy packed at 7am. The water stops started at mile 4 and were more frequent as the race went on. The weather held out, no rain and the cherry blossoms were gorgeous. It was a lovely run.
Well organized, fast, fun race
The production around this event was top-notch - so well organized. Packet pickup was smooth, and making it to the race was easy. Not necessarily a criticism of the event, … MORE
The production around this event was top-notch – so well organized. Packet pickup was smooth, and making it to the race was easy. Not necessarily a criticism of the event, but the porta-potty lines were insurmountable starting an hour before right up until the time of the event.
The course was flat and provided a nice tour of some notable DC landmarks (the capital, most notably). There were a ton of people cheering on the runners throughout the course, and a live samba band played around the halfway point!
In addition to the 5K, I did the kids’ run with my 5-year-old and was pleasantly surprised at the safety measures that they had in place. The kids had a blast running with Stumpy!
I’d consider doing this event again, but will try to get into the 10mi first.
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.