Update 12/23/4: Mail-in entries were accepted through Tuesday, December 21, when the field limit was reached.

Photo: Isabella Ochichi of Kenya won the 2004 Women's Division in 52:07.

A Really Big Show
The Credit Union Miracle Day Committee, a partnership of credit unions and affiliated organizations, returns as the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile for 2005. The date for next year's race is Sunday, April 3, 2005. The event will again utilize the popular West Potomac Park and Rock Creek Parkway course in Washington, D.C. Last year, through the credit union sponsorship, the event raised over $350,000 for the Children's Miracle Network.

(Note: The race has reached its registration limit; only guaranteed entries are allowed as of 12/22/04.) The event reached its quota in nine days.

The 2005 Credit Union Cherry Blossom will feature a return of the "Foot Poll." Through the use of the transponder chips on their running shoes, participants will be able to "vote" with their feet on a pressing issue facing Washington and the world. To ensure timeliness, the topic will be determined as race day approaches.

The event will continue its status as the Washington Metropolitan area's only World Class elite running event by offering $31,000 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. The top two finishers in last year's women's competition, Isabella Ochichi and Catherine Ndereba, went on to earn silver medals in Athens (Ochichi in the 5,000-meters and Ndereba in the marathon). ``This is the only opportunity to run in the same event with, or to come out and watch, world-class athletes running on the streets of Washington, D.C.," said Stewart. The event also supports American distance running by underwriting two $4,000 grants for up-and-coming U.S. stars through the RRCA Roads Scholar program.

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

See Jim Hage's story on the 2004 race.