5 Reasons to run the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run

1. The cherry blossoms: Once in your lifetime you should travel to Washington D.C. to see these beautiful buds. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo City to the city of Washington (1912). Mayor Ozaki donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations.
2. Kick off spring: The Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run website titles this race “The Runner’s Rite of Spring”. For those of you training for a spring marathon, this race might fit well into your schedule, and may be a good taper race. If you’re not a marathoner, then it is a nice longer distance race to train for in the spring. Have you done a 10k and want a new challenge? Consider a 10 miler. This would be a good one to train for in the spring. 
3. Elite runners: Meb Keflezighi ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler this year. Meb was the 6:00 min/mile pacer. He is known for winning the 2014 Boston Marathon. He has made 4 U.S. Olympic Marathon teams. Joan Benoit Samuelson also ran the CB10 this year. She won the 1979 and 1983 Boston Marathon. She won the first ever women’s Olympic Marathon. Past elite American runners include Sarah Hall, Bill Rodgers to name a few. Every year the elite field of runners is pretty deep. It is very cool to be surrounded by such great talent.
4. The sights: What a better way to see the sights in D.C. than run by them in a race! You will run past or near: the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery,  the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Tidal Basin, the Kennedy Center, and down Memorial Bridge.
5. Support a good cause: The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 2002, when credit unions became the title sponsors of the event, over $7 million has been donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals nationwide.

5 Things You Should Know Before Running the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run

1. Register as a Team. If you have a few friends who want to run the race, register as a team and it may increase your chances of getting in.
2. Purchase the medal: If you are lucky enough to gain entry to this race (one of the largest 10 milers in the nation!), then my suggestion is to spend the extra $11 for the medal. Year after year the medal keeps getting better. I have run this race 4 times, and have opted not to purchase the medal in the past, and I’ve always regretted it. The design is beautiful and it's a nice addition to my collection. If medals aren't your thing, then save your $11! Tip: Race medals are located near the bag drop, which is over to the left after you cross the finish line, walking towards Constitution Ave.. In the past it has been confusing to find. They are not located at the finish.  
3. Consider purchasing a technical t-shirt. I haven’t been too impressed with the shirts from the past (see below for the 2016 shirt). They are always larger than normal, and made of cotton (long sleeve). If you want to show off your accomplishments, consider a technical shirt so you can wear it while running. Or make the cotton one into a quilt! 

4. The Health & Fitness Expo is located in the National Building Museum. It can be a little crowded at times, so go during a less busy time (Friday when it opens). I suggest taking the metro to get there.

5. Transportation & Parking. This year there were around 15,000 runners heading into D.C. for the race, and even more spectators and race volunteers. So it can be crowded. The race website recommends you take the metro to the race. There are several convenient metro stops near the start of the race. If you need to drive, I suggest parking at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. There is a parking in a lot under the building. There is a thorough security check before you enter the garage, which I like. There are also clean bathrooms you can use after you reach the main level of the building. So skip the outside porta-johns and use these before you head to the start, and also skip the lines! It costs around $13 to park there on a Sunday. The metro will cost less, but if you need to drive then this is a nice place to park. Roads are not closed leading to this building & it's an easy walk to the start from the garage. Tip: Before you get on the elevator at the level you parked on, take a card identifying which level you're on in case you forget. I suggest carpooling. Metro information here. Here is the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run's transportation recommendation. 

I personally have run the Cherry Blossom 10 miler 4 years in a row. I highly recommend this race. It is flat (see elevation char here), and the weather usually is decent. This year (2016) there were strong winds, and the race weather conditions were less than ideal. Despite the bad weather this year, this race continues to impress me. It should be on everyone's "must do" list for races. 

Run D.C., 

- Jill M

Entry into this race is via lottery or charity entry. For 2017 lottery information, enter your information here for the Lottery Notification Signup