Credit Union Cherry Blossom

What Credit Union Cherry Blossom does

Credit Union Cherry Blossom, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, that organizes the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K in Washington, D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Founded in 1973, the organization operates an annual flagship race weekend centered on a USATF-sanctioned 10 Mile (capacity ~17,000 via lottery) and a 5K Run-Walk (~8,000 participants, first-come-first-served), supported by a Kids Run and a Double Blossom combined option. Technology infrastructure relies on third-party integrations — MyLaps Bib Tag timing, RunPix interactive results, Timing Productions GPS, a Shopify merchandise storefront, and a mobile race app — combined with operational features such as wave starts, USATF course certification (DC10003JS), and pace groups. A paid Race Committee staff of 1-10 coordinates an annual base of more than 2,000 volunteers and four race ambassadors.

The organization generates revenue from four streams: race entry fees (lottery-based for 10 Mile, FCFS for 5K/Kids Run), merchandise sales (finisher medals at $15/$25 with personalization, apparel via tiered-shipping Shopify store), a layered sponsorship stack anchored by Credit Union Miracle Day as title sponsor (since 2002) with ASICS and Wegmans as presenting sponsors and Gatorade, Visa, Shokz, Velera, TruStage, and others as supporting sponsors, and charitable fundraising proceeds routed to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 2002 the event has contributed nearly $11.1 million to CMN, including $506K presented in 2026. Distribution is wholly direct-to-consumer via cherryblossom.org and race-weekend on-site channels; there is no intermediary resale. The race has held Council for Responsible Sport Gold Inspire Status (2017), USA TODAY 10Best Best 5K (2023), and has hosted the USATF 10 Mile National Championships for four consecutive years through 2026 alongside a PRRO Circuit stop for elite professionals.

Name

Credit Union Cherry Blossom

Legal name

Credit Union Cherry Blossom, Inc.

Website

https://cherryblossom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Credit Union Cherry Blossom, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes the annual USATF-sanctioned Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K in Washington, D.C., serving ~25,000 recreational and elite runners with proceeds benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Road Race Event Organization

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Incentive Travel Programs & Retreat Events (Offsites) (MPAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Road race events
• Running event registration
• Charity fundraiser races
• USATF championship events
• Nonprofit marathon organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Race Entry Fees: Registration fees for 10 Mile (lottery entry), 5K, Double Blossom, and Kids Run events. Fees TBA for 2027 race.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of finisher medals (standard $15, enhanced $25 with personalized time strip), T-shirts, and CUCB branded merchandise through webstore and race weekend shop
3. Title Sponsorship: Credit Union Miracle Day consortium serves as title sponsor; presenting sponsors include ASICS and Wegmans; supporting sponsors include Gatorade, Visa, Velera, Shokz, TruStage, Potomac River Running, Suburban Solutions
4. Charitable Fundraising: Race serves as fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals; proceeds support CMN hospitals across U.S. and Canada; $5 donation can bring 5,500 liters of clean water through charity: water partnership

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Credit Union Cherry Blossom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk in Washington, DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, including a USATF-sanctioned 10 Mile championship, a 5K, a Double Blossom combined-race option, and a Kids Run. The events are delivered with professional chip timing (MyLaps Bib Tag), wave starts, GPS tracking, an interactive results platform (RunPix), and supporting amenities such as a Health & Fitness Expo, finisher medals, and a merchandise store, with proceeds directed to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals via a long-standing title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day.

Product overview

Credit Union Cherry Blossom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk, collectively known as the Runner's Rite of Spring. The organization operates a platform-plus-events model centered around its flagship 10 Mile Run (USATF-sanctioned championship), complemented by the 5K Run-Walk, Double Blossom (combined race option), and Kids Run. Supporting offerings include a merchandise store (medals, t-shirts), the Blossom Banter podcast, partner training programs (PR Training, Runna, ASICS), and a Health & Fitness Expo. The events are held annually in Washington, DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, with proceeds benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The organization also offers a Virtual Run option for remote participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Double Blossom: A combined registration option allowing runners to participate in both the 5K and 10 Mile races.
• Kids Run

Products and services

• Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run Flagship annual 10-mile road race held in Washington, DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival; USATF-sanctioned championship serving as the USATF 10 Mile National Championship and a PRRO Circuit stop. Features wave starts, elite athlete competition, prize money, and is part of the 'Runner's Rite of Spring' tradition. Targets recreational adult runners, charity runners, and elite competitive athletes.
• Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K Run-Walk 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk event presented by ASICS, held the day before the 10 Mile, open to all fitness levels with first-come-first-served registration. Scored and managed by the same organization with professional timing.
• Double Blossom Combined registration option allowing runners to participate in both the 5K and 10 Mile races over the race weekend, with a special combined medal. Targets runners seeking a multi-distance weekend experience.
• Kids Run Youth running event held during race weekend, designed for children to experience running in a fun, non-competitive environment. Often included with family participation in the broader race weekend.
• Virtual Run Remote participation option allowing runners worldwide to complete the race distance on their own schedule and course during the National Cherry Blossom Festival period. Extends the event to runners who cannot attend in person.
• Health & Fitness Expo Presented by Wegmans Pre-race expo at the National Building Museum featuring exhibitors, packet pickup, speaker clinics, hands-only CPR classes, shoe donations, and interactive experiences for registered participants. Held in the days immediately before the races.
• CUCB Merchandise Store Shopify-based online retail store selling official race merchandise including standard finisher medals ($15), enhanced personalized medals with time/place strip ($25), t-shirts, and commemorative branded apparel. Operates with tiered shipping rates plus periodic in-person Open House sales at the Bethesda headquarters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $11.1 million raised for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals since 2002
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered primary, supporting and core.

• Credit Union Miracle Day (CUMD)primaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2002Consortium of credit unions, credit union suppliers, and supporters serving as title sponsor since 2002. Race has donated nearly $11.1 million to Children's Miracle Network under this partnership. Nationwide, credit unions are the 3rd largest fundraisers for CMN Hospitals.
• ASICSprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPerformance footwear and apparel sponsor; presents the 5K event; provides ASICS products for race merchandise and upgrade options. Founded 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Kobe, Japan with philosophy 'Sound Mind, Sound Body.'
• WegmansprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Health & Fitness Expo; provides food donations including cookies and bananas for post-race refreshments; supports community engagement initiatives in areas they serve.
• Gatorade EndurancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial sports beverage providing G Endurance Formula at on-course aid stations and post-race refreshment areas; backed by 50+ years of nutrition and hydration research.
• USA Track & Field (USATF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanctioning body for USATF 10 Mile National Championships hosted at the event for fourth consecutive year (2026); race complies with USATF requirements including Safe Sport Act.
• Children's Miracle Network (CMN)coreOthersNon-profit international organization receiving race proceeds; helps treat millions of children across U.S. and Canada. Race has donated nearly $11.1 million since 2002.
• National Cherry Blossom FestivalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRace is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrating the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees and enduring friendship between U.S. and Japan. Festival runs March 20 - April 13 annually.
• charity: watersupportingOthersSustainability Impact Partner; $5 donation brings 5,500 liters of clean water to communities. Organization works with local partners for sustainable water projects in areas of greatest need.
• VisasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital payments sponsor facilitating transaction processing for registration and merchandise; world leader in digital payments operating in 220+ countries.
• ShokzsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen-ear audio technology sponsor joining in 2026 for first time; provides audio gear for runners during training and racing.
• TruStagesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services sponsor (formerly Trustmark); mission to make brighter financial future accessible to everyone through partnership with credit unions.
• VelerasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPayments credit union service organization (CUSO) and financial technology solutions provider; serves 4,000+ financial institutions in North America.
• Potomac River RunningsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned running specialty store with 9 locations in DC Metro area (Arlington, Burke, DC, Fairfax, Leesburg, One Loudoun, Reston, Springfield, Vienna); supports local running community.
• RRCA (Road Runners Club of America)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRace hosted 2018 RRCA National Championships; organization promoting road running and supporting running clubs nationwide.
• PRRO (Professional Road Racing Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRace serves as a stop on PRRO Circuit for elite professional runners; circuit includes Boilermaker 15K and other premier road races.
• National Park ServicecoreOthersPermit issuer for race through National Mall and Memorial Parks; enforces time limits and coordinates course access for the 10 Mile event.
• DC Metro / WMATAsupportingOthersMetro system encouraged for race transportation; Metro opens early (5am Sunday, 7am Saturday) for runners; race promotes public transit for sustainability.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marine Corps Marathon: Nonprofit mass participation road race held annually in Washington, DC; comparable to CUCB as a similarly sized, similarly located running event with strong military and charity fundraising components.
• Carlsbad 5000: Major US road race event known for elite competition and fast course; comparable to CUCB in scale, mass participation model, and elite athlete field quality.
• Boston Athletic Association (Boston Marathon): Nonprofit organization operating the Boston Marathon; comparable to CUCB as a similarly structured nonprofit running event organizer with elite athlete championships and decades-long brand heritage.
• Boilermaker 15K: Premier US road race in Utica, NY that shares the PRRO Circuit stop with CUCB; both serve as elite-athlete championship-caliber events with comparable operational scale and sponsor-driven models.
• Cooper River Bridge Run: Iconic annual road race in Charleston, SC; comparable to CUCB as a mass participation, destination road race with multi-decade history and significant charitable impact.
• Atlanta Track Club (Peachtree Road Race): Operates the iconic Peachtree Road Race, one of the largest 10K races in the world; comparable to CUCB as a nonprofit running organization hosting a major annual road race with elite athlete competition.

Others

• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Charitable beneficiary of CUCB's fundraising; thematically related as the destination for race proceeds and a key ecosystem partner shaping the event's mission and sponsor relationships.
• National Cherry Blossom Festival: Annual DC festival of which CUCB is the signature running event partner; related event ecosystem providing cultural context, sponsorship synergies, and brand association.
• RRCA (Road Runners Club of America): National organization promoting road running and supporting running clubs; CUCB partnered with RRCA to host its 2018 National Championships and shares the broader road racing governance ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Competitor Group (Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series): Larger, multi-city marathon series operator; broader incumbent in the road racing space with nationwide events, contrasting with CUCB's single-location, locally rooted model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CUCB
• Facebookfacebook.com/CreditUnionCherryBlossom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/credit-union-cherry-blossom-ten-mile-run
• Instagraminstagram.com/cucb
• TikToktiktok.com/@cucbindc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Credit Union Cherry Blossom