Photo above is the women's start for 2006.

The Road Runners Club of America has selected the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run as the 2007 RRCA National Championship 10 Mile. The event will take place on April 1, 2007. "With the RRCA celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the Credit Union Cherry Blossom commemorating 35 editions of the race, this seemed like a natural fit," said Event Director Phil Stewart. "Plus the championship, which is open to athletes of all nationalities, builds on our established reputation as the Washington, DC area's only world class running event." Stewart anticipates increased participation by some of the RRCA's "Roads Scholar" grant recipients, which include many up- and-coming American athletes.

Don Kardong, a 1976 Olympic Marathoner who serves as the chair of the RRCA's National Championship selection committee, said, ""The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile is one of the premier running events in the world. The RRCA is excited to have the 2007 event serve as our National 10 Mile Championship. The event has fostered world-class competition for over 30 years and we anticipate some great racing next April."

The national championship ties in well with the expanding support that the sponsoring Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. is receiving from Credit Unions around the country. Through the Credit Unions and race participants, the event has raised nearly $2 million for the Children's Miracle Network since 2002. Washington's own Children's Hospital serves as the local CMN affiliate.

In addition to the championship contenders competing for over $30,000 in prize money, 10,000 runners from around the country and the Metropolitan area will join in at gentler paces for what is known as "The Runners' Rite of Spring." The flat, fast course, laden with Japanese cherry trees, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

The event takes place on the opening weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a two-week celebration of sporting and cultural events that celebrates the blossoming of the fabled trees donated to this country by Japan in the early 20th century.

On-line registration opens in mid-December and the event always fills up quickly. Further details are available at the event's Web site.

The event is part of the Professional Road Running Organization Circuit. In addition to title sponsorship from Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. and its affiliated Credit Unions and Partners, the event enjoys supporting sponsorship from Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Metro Run & Walk.