The annual Credit Union sponsored Cherry Blossom 10 mile run on Sunday April 6 in DC had a last minute adjustment.
Runners Learning about a Course Change
On the day before the race, Saturday, April 5, President Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports to the US took effect. The tariff covers all products, services and intellectual property from any country, regardless of that country’s tariffs on the US exports to them.
Race organizers were told by the US International Trade Commission that the mile, as a concept for measuring distance, was an English “intellectual property” import.
Therefore the race must be expanded to 11 miles, or 10% further, or face a last minute cancellation for the over 20,000 registered runners. The race committee agreed to the request and moved the finish line by an additional mile.
Credit Union Runners React
While some participants felt that politics should not be a part of this effort to support the Children’s Miracle Nework, most were stoic about the additional distance added right as the runners were assembling.
One runner, Alix, who has competed for many years, commented that the added length was no worry. That’s “because credit unions are always willing to go the extra mile for their members,” she said.
Now THAT’s funny!
If only you could have posted this 6 days earlier 🙂
Chip,
I feel it is necessary to advise you that the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5k, and Kids Run is a non-political event. Runners of all shapes, sizes, politics, and ability are encouraged to participate in this 23-year-old tradition. Runners from every state and all over the world come to celebrate the “Runner’s Rite of Spring!”
Over the years this event grew from a 6,000-participant event to a two-day celebration in the Nation’s Capital. This weekend 19,000 toed the line for the 10-mile run. 8,000 were in the 5K. 650 participated in the Kids run.
Yesterday, Taylor Roe, Female Runner from Oklahoma State University crushed the World Record! Charles Hicks now hold the American Record. Four Americans beat the first Kenyan runner to cross the finish line.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K is listed as the best in the US according to USA Today!
We raised $460,000 this year bringing the total raised to over 12 million!
Running is a sport that all levels get to participate on the same course. Clearly, some participate on the course a little longer than the Elite Runners, but we all cross the start line and finish at the same finish line!
Even Mother Nature held off miserable predicted weather in DC until today because it was Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run weekend.
The energy and the love displayed this week is above petty politics! Thank you giving me a reason to write about one of the most successful endeavors ever done by credit unions.