Photo below: Start of the 2003 Annapolis Ten-Miler.

Running in the Washington metropolitan area is rich in history and the success of many of the races is attributed to the local runners. Three races have now joined together to show appreciation by offering complimentary entries into each other's races: 29th Annual Annapolis 10 Miler (8/29/ 2004), the 20th Army Ten-Miler (10/24/2004,) and the 32nd Annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/4/2004). Each race has been ranked within the top five 10-milers in the country based upon finishers. The non-transferable entries will be awarded to the first local male and female in the open and masters categories. The local area is defined at the states of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The winners must have resided in the area for at least one year prior to each race.

In its first year, the Annapolis 10 Miler had nine finishers and last year there were 4,420 finishers, of which 1,787 were females. One runner has completed the race in 27 consecutive years; he was also the first winner: John Astle, Maryland State Senator, Democrat, District 30. Senator Astle served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as Captain (1966-1975), earning 31 air medals, two Purple Hearts, and a Presidential Service Badge. He served three and a half years as Presidential helicopter pilot. Now he is a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

In 1985, two weeks prior to the event, the Maryland State Police wanted to cancel the race because they found it was against the law to have a road race. The then Delegate Astle introduced House Bill No. 794, which made it legal to have a footrace; the bill took effect July 1, 1986.

The race starts and finishes at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. The July 2000 issue of Runners's World magazine did an in-depth story, "Capital Punishment," by John Hanc. Since 1976, 62,515 runners have completed the race.

The Army Ten-Miler starts and finishes at the Pentagon. On October 13, 1985, there were 1,379 finishers. Kevin McGarry, a former miler at the University of Maryland, won the first year in 50:05. Marianne Dickerson was the female winner in 58:45 and she went on to win in 1986 (57:33) and 1988 (56:46). There have been ten local male winners and thirteen local female overall winners.

In 1987, the Army Ten-Miler was ranked fifth largest 10-mile race in the country; it moved up to second place in 1988 and by 1989 was ranked the largest. In 1988, the co-starter was Army Specialist Andrew Maynard, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in boxing, light heavyweight division.

The oldest winner was Army Sergeant Sammy Ngatia, age 40, who won in 2000 (48:50). He is the holder of the masters record and the three fastest masters times.

The Credit Union Miracle Day Committee, a partnership of credit unions, began their sponsorship of the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in 2002. In 1973, the race started near the Club House on Hains Point (East Potomac Park). In 1974, Dr. Delano Meriwether, 1971 AAU 100-meter champion, was the race starter.

Prize money was introduced into the race in 1984 and it was the first year for foreign-born winners, Simeon Kigen of Kenya (47:25), and Rosa Mota of Portugal (54:16). The race has produced records at the national and world levels for males and females.

One standout, Bennett Beach of Bethesda, Md., at the age of 23, ran his first Cherry Blossom in 1:01:11 and has finished the race each year. In 2003, Beach placed seventh in the 50-54 age group (1:02:15). Ruth Rothfarb, at the age of 91 in 1993, ran 3 hours 27 minutes seconds, which, at that time, was an American record.

"I'm making a big deal about this race. It's more from a personal standpoint. This race was the most important to me. This race is history," stated Chris Fox, the 1990 winner (47:06).

The three races share a few things in common, scenic racecourses, history, excellence in race management, and strong support for the local running community. To state it simply, they are good places to hang out with your friends and family for ten miles.

Event Details

Annapolis 10 Miler
Race Month:	August				First Year:	1976
Web site: http://www.annapolisstriders.org	2004 Date:	August 29, 2004	29th
US Rank: 5th largest 10 miler in 2002
Event Director: Ron Bowman  410-268-1165
Finishers:		Male		Female		Total
1st Year 1976		4 (57%)	        3 (43%)	           7
28th 8/24/03		2633 (60%)	1787 (40%)	4420
Total Finishers Since 1976				62,515


Race Event Records
Open
1980	Terry Baker		24	48:09		Williamsport, MD	
1982	Eleanor Simonsick	24	56:12		Baltimore, MD
Masters
1994	James Pryde, Jr.	41	53:48		Churchville, MD
1991	Rose Malloy		43	1:00:36	        Annapolis, MD



	
Army Ten-Miler
Race Month: October				First Year: 10-13-1985
Web site: http://www.armytenmiler.com	2004 Date:  10 - 24 - 2004    20th  
(2001 Canx)
U.S. Rank: Largest in US
Event Director: Jim Vandak  202-685-3361
Finishers:			Male		Finishers	Total
1st Year 1985			?		?		  1,379
19th 2003			7882		5316		 13,198
Total Finishers Since 1985					126,060


Race Event Records
Open
1997	Lt. Dan Browne	        22		47:44		Fort Lee, VA (US Army)
1995	Susan Molloy		30		56:20		Charlottesville, VA
Masters
2000	Sgt. Sammy Ngatia	41		48:50		Fort Carson, CO (US Army)
2002	Martha Merz		40		59:49		Mystic, CT



Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Race Month: April				First Year:	4-1-1973
Web site: http://www.cherryblossom.org	2004 Date: 	4 - 4 -2004     32nd
U.S. Rank: 3rd largest 10 miler in 2002
Event Director: Phil Stewart  301-320-3350
Finishers			Male		Female		Total
1st Year 1973			129 (91%)	12 (19%)	141
31st 2003			3940 (53%)	3534 (47%)	7474
Total Finishers Since 1973					111,707


Race Event Record
Open
1995	Ismael Kirui		22	45:38		Kenya
1998	Colleen DeReuck	        33	51:16		South Africa
Master
1996	Steve Jones		40	48:26		England
1987	Priscilla Welch	        42	53:51		England



EVENT RECORDS
Open Men
1995	Ismael Kirui		22	45:38		Kenya			Credit Union
1997	Lt. Dan Browne	        22	47:44		Fort Lee, VA 		Army 
1980	Terry Baker		24	48:09		Williamsport, MD	Annapolis


Open Women
1998	Colleen DeReuck	        33	51:16		South Africa		Credit Union
1982	Eleanor Simonsick	24	56:12		Baltimore, MD	        Annapolis
1995	Susan Molloy		30	56:20		Charlottesville, VA	Army 


Masters Men
1996	Steve Jones		40	48:26		England		Credit Union
2000	Sgt. Sammy Ngatia	41	48:50		Fort Carson, CO Army
1994	James Pryde, Jr.	41	53:48		Churchville, MD	Annapolis


Masters Women
1987	Priscilla Welch	        42	53:51		England		Credit Union
2002	Martha Merz		40	59:49		Mystic, CT	Army
1991	Rose Malloy		43	60:36	        Annapolis, MD	Annapolis

Photo above: Start of the 2003 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile.

Please direct questions on the races to the numbers listed above or visit the race Web sites. For questions on the process, contact George Banker at the Army Ten-Miler, 202-685-3361 or via e-mail.