WASHINGTON/SACRAMENTO–Credit unions sponsored two high-profile road races over the weekend on opposite coasts of the country.
The 52nd edition of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run in Washington, D.C. and the Credit Union SacTown Run in Sacramento, Calif. both filled the weekend with race-related events.
In the nation’s capitol, what’s been called an annual “Runner’s Rite of Spring” drew more than 17,000 participants in the 10 Mile course that winds past the Japanese cherry trees and all the major D.C. monuments.
In addition, on Saturday there were approximately 7,000 entrants in the accompanying 5K, which was voted the Best 5K in the country by USA Today poll for 2023 and 2025. Both races were again sold-out.
How the Finished
The first and second-place winners in the men’s division in the 10-mile run were separated by just one second: Charles Hicks of Eugene, Ore. finished at 45:14, followed by Alex Maier of Chapel Hill, N.C. at 45:15. Biya Simbassa of Flagstaff, Ariz. finished third at 45:23.
In the women’s division, Taylor Roe of Raleigh, N.C. finished first at 49:53, followed by Adane Anmaw of Ethiopia at 51:00 and Emma Grace Hurley of Indianapolis at 51.04.
Finishing first in the Credit Union Team division was NASA FCU Dragonfly, followed by another team from the same credit union, NASA FCU Davinci
The Real Competition
The real competition, of course, is for who can create the best team name for teams drawn from Capitol Hill and the federal government.
Among some of the best team names:
- Heinrich Maneuver (for Sent. Martin Heinrich)
- Murphy’s Lawmakers (for Sent. Chris Murphy)
- The In-N-Outlaws (Rep. Ken Calvert)
- Can-run-wellia (for Sen. Maria Cantwell)
- REDACTED (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence)
- The Costal Elites (Rep. Mike Levin)
- Fueled by Tuna Melts (Sen. Mark Warner)
- Canada’s 11th Province (Sen. Peter Welch)
- Mt. Runmore (Sen. John Thune)
- Mean Cause We’re From New England (Rep. Jim Himes)
- Congressionally Directed Running (Senate Committee on Appropriations)
- Earth Wind and Beyer (Rep. Don Beyer)
- Schiff Happens (Sen. Adam Schiff)
- Running Waters (Rep.. Maxine Waters)
- The HickenLappers (Sen. John Hickenlooper)
- Foster Than You (Rep. Bill Foster)
- Running Doggetts of Slays and Means (Rep. Lloyd Doggett)
- Make Some Illinoise (Sen. Richard Durbin)
- Run Models Not Miles (Congressional Budget Office) which also entered a second team, “Make it to the Baseline.”
SacTown Run in California
In Sacramento, Calif. the Credit Union SacTown Run again took take place, with support from more than 60 California and Nevada credit unions and the California and Nevada leagues.
The event benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), with a goal this year of raising $200,000. Hosted by the Sacramento Running Association (SRA), it has raised $3 million for local CMN Hospitals over the past several years.
The California State Capitol is the starting and finishing line for the 10-mile race, a 5K run/walk, and the Miracle Mile.
Ero Doce of Turlock, Calif. won the men’s division in the 10-mile run with a time of 48.48, with Ryan Ioanidis of Spokane Wash. finishing second at 49.03 and Daniel Tapia of Castroville, Calif. finishing at 49.23.
Brittney Feivor of Broomfield, Colo won the women’s division with a time of 54:57, followed by Maya Weigel of Los Altos, Calif. at 55:22 and Alycia Cridebring of Flagstaff, Ariz. at 55:43.
