It was no easy task sailing through the 32nd Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday, April 4, 2004. The wind had its way with the runners as the cherry trees swayed. The first round of the Ten-Mile Triple is over - the top local male and female in the open and master's division have been awarded free entries into the Annapolis Ten Mile Run, Army Ten- Miler and the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.

Full race results are located at www.cherryblossom.org.

The winners:


Open


Erik Kean		26	52:56	Arlington, VA		20th 	16th 25-29
Naoko Ishibe		35	57:47	Silver Spring, MD	12th	2nd  35-39
Master


Mark Malander    	46	55:43	Oak Hill, VA		43rd	2nd 45-49
Lee DiPietro		46	1:01:15 Ruxton, MD		22nd	1st  45-49

At the next stop in the circuit, runners will see a change in conditions, the 29th Annapolis Ten Mile Run on Sunday, August 29, 2004. You can count on three elements: heat, hills and humidity. The race normally closes rapidly and on-line registration will open June 1, 2004. Do not delay! This year's premium will be a Jerzee polo shirt. Add this race to your calendar - the scenic course has a start and finish at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Complete race details are located at www.annapolisstriders.org or call 410-268-1165.

On-line registration is open for the 20th Army Ten-Miler, which will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2004. The race starts and finishes at the Pentagon and passes several of Washington's national monuments. The race limit has been increased to 20,000 runners; last year there were 690 teams. The full race details are located at www.armytenmiler.com or call 202-685-3361.

All three races share a few common elements: experienced race management, course integrity, top competition, outstanding volunteers, and tradition. Since the beginning of all three events there have been 300,282 finishers through 2003.

Congratulations to Naoko, Lee, Erik, and Mark. Who will make it through the next round? See you in Annapolis. On behalf of the Race Directors, staff and volunteers, thanks to all of the runners and sponsors for their continued support.

Photo above: Lee DiPietro finished the 2004 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in fine form.