Successful 2023 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run!
Credit Unions Raise $450,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at
50th Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K
Credit Union Miracle Day, presented a $450,000 donation to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, yesterday at the 50th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K in Washington, D.C. Of the total donated to CMN Hospitals, over $200,000 was raised by runners, their families and friends. Since credit unions became the title sponsors in 2002, over $10.6 million has been donated to CMN Hospitals nationwide.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of this iconic Washington D.C. event and our 21st year as the title sponsors,” said John Bratsakis, chair of Credit Union Miracle Day. “It’s a perfect example of credit unions 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 sunny and brisk day in Washington, D.C. for running the 50th Annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile known as the Runners’ Rite of Spring®. Against stiff headwinds, top American Hillary Bor broke the 40-year-old American Record of 46:13 set in at the 1983 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile with a time of 46:11 earning him the title of USATF 10 Mile National Champion and a $50,000 bonus from CUCB organizers. Bor finished second overall in a very close race with Tsegay Kidanu from Ethiopia, who’s winning time was 46:08. The 1st female finisher was Ugandan Sarah Chelangat who won the women’s race in 52:04.
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 77 teams with over 658 staffers competing. The unofficial winner of the Congressional Cup was team “Last Best Place” from Senator Jon Tester’s office.
“We’d like to give special thanks to our Presenting sponsors, PSCU, CUNA Mutual Group, and Co-op Solutions 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 206 members of Congress (157 Representatives and 49 Senators) from 45 states, the District of Columbia and Guam serving as Honorary Race Co-Chairs supporting the race benefitting our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Hairston.
Other notable 10 Mile performances:
- U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, (1:57:21);
- Senator Krysten Sinema (AZ) (1:23:46);
- Ben Beach, the only person to have competed in and completed every Cherry Blossom 10 Mile (2:01:25.
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 $10.6 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.