The 2006 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile will have a women's world record set. The event will feature a 10-minute advance start for approximately 30 elite women. This advance start means the elite women's competition is classified as an "all-women's event." According to the Association of Road Racing Statisticians, there currently is no listed women's world record for an all-women's race. This means a world standard will be set on April 2, 2006. "It's a rare to be able to predict a world record in advance, but because of our innovative elite women's advance start we can guarantee it," said Event Director Phil Stewart. "In addition, the advance start will give greater visibility to the women's competition which is usually buried in with the men in traditional mixed-start races. This should be exciting for both spectators and the planned TV coverage on the Outdoor Life Network."

Stewart also announced that entry into the race will once again be available on-line or through mail-in entries. The on-line entry process will open at 10 a.m. sharp on Monday Dec. 12. Entries will be taken online at www.cherryblossom.org. Mail-in entries will be mailed in early December and may be returned as soon as they are received. Runners should enter only using one of the two methods. Everyone who entered the race last year - even those who were rejected - will receive a mail-in entry form and those who supplied e-mail addresses will receive an e-mail reminder about the opening of the on-line process. Prospective registrants may obtain entry details on-line, or request a mail-in form at www.cherryblossom.org. or 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. The race is limited to 10,000 finishers and is expected to fill up quickly once again. Last year on-line registration was full in just five days.

The event will continue its status as the Washington Metropolitan area's only World Class elite running event by offering $31,500 in prize money, its largest purse ever. The event has attracted Olympic Gold Medallists, World Champions and world-record holders. ``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 $5,000 grants for up-and-coming U.S. stars through the RRCA Roads Scholar program.

The event is part of 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.

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Home Page.