The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run - A Clean Story
Cherry Blossom Run - Unique in its Commitment to Drug Testing
Bawcom Says It’s “Essential”
Washington, DC – Known as one of the preeminent events of Washington’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, the April 6 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run (CUCB) www.cherryblossom.org is uniquely dedicated to providing a drug-free race for its world class competitors. With record prize money of over $80,000 offered this year, the assurance of a level playing field for elite competitors becomes even more meaningful.
As a member of the Professional Road Racing Organization Circuit (PRRO), CUCB has partnered with the
US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and requires elite runners to be tested according to USADA rules. PRRO estimates that in the nine years their championship five-race circuit has tested runners, approximately 450 drug tests have been conducted.
Host to the 2014 U.S. Men’s and Women’s 10 Mile Championships, the CUCB will feature many of America’s top male and female distance runners. The assurance of a level playing field has become an increasingly important element to top competitors’ race participation. A good example is Deena Kastor, who holds U.S. records in the half marathon and marathon and wouldn’t commit to running the 2013 LA Marathon until she was assured that drug testing was in place.
Janet Bawcom, who set the women’s U.S. 10-Mile record at the Cherry Blossom in 2013 and who will be here to defend her title this year, said, “It’s essential to me that I can compete knowing that race results are honest. A drug testing program provides that assurance and I’m confident I can always compete fairly in the PRRO Circuit races.”
"The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run provides a magnificent stage for Washington to show off its beautiful landscape as well as its strong community spirit. Because Credit unions are
community-driven and dedicated to excellence in service to the consumer, our partnership with the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run is a natural fit,” said
Theresa Mann, Chairman of Credit Union Miracle Day. “This year it is hosting the USA 10 Mile Champions for men and women; it is environmentally certified and it is
committed to clean competition with a rigorous drug testing program. I admire the organizers and the PRRO Circuit to which it belongs for taking a strong stand on drug testing.
The World Class Credit Union Cherry Blossom runners can compete with confidence that their hard work will be measured fairly and fans will know that the race results are honest."
This year’s race raised $487,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) and since the Credit Unions became the Cherry Blossom Run sponsor in 2002, $6 million has been raised. Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center is the local recipient.
CUCB Race Director Phil Stewart said, “We’ve worked hard over the years to build this race in to one of the world’s leading road races and I believe that drug testing is one of the elements that attracts the high standard of competition the race is noted for.”
Stewart added that the CUCB is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit, a national alliance of race directors dedicated to the development of elite runners and a drug-free sport.
Each of the PRRO Circuit’s 5 world class races spends $8-10,000 to implement a drug testing program.
2014 PRRO Circuit Events:
February 23, World’s Best 10k, San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 6 – Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, Washington, DC
May 4 – Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K, Spokane, WA
July 4 – The AJC Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta, GA
July 13, Boilermaker 15K, Utica, NY (2013-2014 PRRO Championship)
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