Credit Union Cherry Blossom Runs Raises $550k for CMN Hospitals!

Credit Unions and industry partners presented a $550,000 donation from Credit Union Miracle Day to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC on April 7, 2024. Over $169,000 of the donation was raised directly by runners, their families, and friends who participated in the race.

The contributions highlight the dedication of credit unions nationwide to supporting the health and well-being of children and families in their communities.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our 22nd year as title sponsor of this iconic Washington tradition,” said John Bratsakis, Chair of Credit Union Miracle Day. “The generosity of credit unions, runners, and volunteers is truly inspiring. We would like to express special thanks to our Presenting Sponsors, PSCU/ Co-op Solutions and TruStage, and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who contribute their time and energy to make race weekend a success.”

Since becoming the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run in 2002, has helped raise over $11.5 million for CMN Hospitals nationwide. These funds directly benefit local children’s hospitals, funding critical research, treatments, and medical equipment.

The annual Capitol Hill Competition, sponsored by Congressional FCU and United States Senate FCU, is the race within the larger Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. 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 113 teams with over 850 staffers competing. The unofficial winner of the Congressional Cup was team “Markey On Your Left” from Senator Ed Markey’s office.

“We’d like to give special thanks to our Presenting sponsors, PSCU|CO-Op Solutions and , TruStage and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who enjoy helping on race weekend,” said Tim Anderson, president and CEO of Senate FCU and chair of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Capitol Hill Competition Committee. “We are very pleased to have 245 members of Congress from 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and American Samoa serving as Honorary Race Co-Chairs supporting the race benefitting our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”.

The race by the numbers:

• Nearly 800 credit union volunteers helped distribute food and drinks, run baggage check, organize runners and other support activities.
• 70 credit unions from across the country contributed through sponsorships.
• Over 850 Congressional staffers on 113 teams competed in the race.
• Over 245 members of Congress from 48 states, DC, American Somoa and Guam signed on as Honorary Race Chairs.
• One Stumpy the Cherry Tree mascot thrilled runners and spectators.
• 17,000 ran in the 10 Mile Run on Sunday.
• 7,000 5K runners and 500 Kids Run participants ran on Saturday.

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

The 51st running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile took place Sunday, April 7th 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 75 credit unions and business partners and CUSOs, has donated over $11.5 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.

About Credit Union Miracle Day

Credit Union Miracle Day is a partnership of credit unions, CUSOs and partner organizations united to sponsor the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals nationwide.  

About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom, sponsored by Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc, in partnership with co-lead partners, PSCU|Co-op Solutions and TruStage 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 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 North America. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center. 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.

The event is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit (www.PRRO.org), a five-race non-marathon prize money circuit with events in Utica, NY, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC, Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA. The circuit is committed to a drug-free sport and funds Clearidium to conduct drug testing in compliance with IAAF standards at all circuit events.