2022 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run Raises $323k!
Credit Union Miracle Day, presented a $323,000 donation to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, yesterday at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. Of the total donated to CMN Hospitals, $65,748 was raised by runners, their families and friends. Since credit unions became the title sponsors in 2002, over $10.2 million has been donated to CMN Hospitals nationwide.
The race returned to April for an in-person run for the first time since 2019 as COVID restrictions cancelled the Run in 2020 and delayed an in-person event to September in 2021.
“We are thrilled to be “back to the blossoms” and celebrating our 20th year as the title sponsors of the Run,” said John Bratsakis, chair of Credit Union Miracle Day. “For the past 20 years, credit unions have been working together to make a significant impact in our communities and in the lives of children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The funds raised directly benefit CMN Hospitals in local communities, helping to fund research, treatment, and medical equipment.”
It was a picture-perfect spring day in Washington, D.C. for running the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run known as the Runners’ Rite of Spring®. In an occurrence rarely heard of in long-distance events, men’s winner Nicholas Kosimbei tied the course record of 45:15 set by fellow Kenyan Alan Kiprono a decade earlier in 2012. The 1st female finisher was Susanna Sullivan, a fifth-grade teacher from Reston, VA, who won the women’s race in 52:32.
The annual Capitol Hill Competition, sponsored by Congressional FCU and United States Senate FCU, is the race within the larger Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. House and Senate offices form teams to compete for the Capitol Hill Cup. The team with the best race time wins the cup to display in its office. This year there were 61 teams with over 500 staffers competing (team results will be announced at a later date).
“We’d like to give special thanks to our Presenting sponsors, PSCU, Co-op Solutions and CUNA Mutual Group, and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who enjoy helping on race weekend,” said Tim Anderson, president and CEO of Senate FCU. Anderson is co-chair of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Capitol Hill Competition Committee along with Montez Hairston, Interim CEO of Congressional FCU “We are very pleased to have 195 members of Congress (137 Representatives and 58 Senators) from 45 states, and the District of Columbia serving as Honorary Race Co-Chairs supporting the race benefitting our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Hairston.
Other notable performances:
- U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Denis McDonough, ran 1:30:06 in the Ten Mile;
- U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, finished the Ten Mile in 1:58:37;
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) finished the 5K Run-Walk in 26:41.
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
The 49th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run took place Sunday, April 3rd on the Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, D.C. The racecourse is a fast, flat route around the iconic memorials in the nation’s capital. The race is on the “bucket list” of things to do in Washington, D.C. according to the Washingtonian Magazine.
Credit Union Miracle Day
Since becoming the title sponsors of races in 2002, Credit Union Miracle Day, a collaboration of over 100 credit unions and business partners and CUSOs, has donated over $10 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an alliance of premier children’s hospitals which treat 10 million critically ill children annually, regardless of their ability to pay.
Credit Union Miracle Day is the 2013 proud recipient of the National Credit Union Foundation’s Outstanding Program Award.