Entry Opens at 10 a.m. on December 16
The Credit Union Miracle Day Committee, a partnership of credit unions and affiliated organizations, is returning as the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile. The 2003 event will be held on April 6th and will utilize the popular West Potomac Park and Rock Creek Parkway course in Washington, DC. Last year, through the credit union sponsorship, the event raised $65,000 for the Children's Miracle Network.

Bill Brooks, President of the Credit Union Miracle Day Committee, said, "We are pleased to return as the title sponsor for 2003. Last year the event exceeded our expectations in terms of community visibility, credit union participation, and in the contribution to the Children's Miracle Network. We plan on building on this base in our second year as we invite thousands of runners from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and from around the country to join us and 'run with the credit union spirit.'"

Event Director Phil Stewart said, "Last year showed what a great partnership between the participating credit unions and the event we have. I am excited about an even better event in 2003." In addition, Metro Run & Walk, a specialty running retailer with three Washington, DC area locations in Springfield, VA, Falls Church, VA and Rockville, MD, has signed on as a new supporting sponsor. Metro Run & Walk joins supporting sponsors Gatorade and Gryphon Technologies.

The entry process for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2002. Entries will be taken on-line at www.cherryblossom.org or through the use of mail-in entries.

There will be a special allotment set aside for mail-in entries and everyone who attempted to enter the race last year---whether accepted or rejected--will automatically be mailed an entry form for 2003. Prospective registrants may obtain entry information on-line at www.cherryblossom.org or by requesting a mail-in entry by sending an e-mail to race_director@cherryblossom.org, by calling the race hotline at (301) 320-3350, or by mailing a request to Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, PO Box 5366, Rockville, MD 20848. Last year's event filled its 6,500-runner allotment in just 17 days so early entry is advised.

The event will continue its status as the Washington Metropolitan area's only World Class elite running event by offering $29,500 in prize money, its largest purse ever. Both the men's and women's world records were set in the 1995 event and the women's world-record was set in 1998. The event has attracted Olympic Gold Medallists, world champions, and world record holders. "This is truly an outstanding opportunity to run in the same event with, or to come out and watch, world-class athletes running on the streets of Washington, DC," Stewart said.

The event also supports American distance running by underwriting two Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Roads Scholar grants ($4,000 each) for up-and-coming U.S. stars and the 2003 race will be held in conjunction with the Road Runners Club of America's annual convention.

The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Professional Road Running Organization Circuit.