Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile (CUCB) announced this year’s invited elite field as notable American runners will compete against a fierce field of past champions on Sunday, April 6. The elite women will start first at 7:18 a.m., followed by the men and the masses at 7:30 a.m.
For the third consecutive year, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile will serve as the USATF National 10 Mile Championships. The men’s American field is highlighted by Hillary Bor, the two-time defending U.S. 10 Mile Champion. In 2023, Bor set the American 10 Mile record of 46:11, only to break it again last year with a time of 45:56. (Bor’s record was recently eclipsed at the Aramco Half Marathon by Connor Mantz, who went through 10 miles in 45:16). Bor is joined by fellow Americans Abbabiya (Biya) Simbassa and Sam Chelanga, who placed fifth and eleventh at the 2024 CUCB. Simbassa, the 2021 U.S. Champion, is coming off a 10th place performance at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in March with a 1:02:04 time, and Chelanga ran a 1:03:13 at the Atlanta Half Marathon in early March for 16th place.
The American trio are ready to challenge last year’s CUCB overall winner Wesley Kiptoo, who finished two seconds before Bor in 2024. The two are set to push each other again as both are coming off impressive performances at the Aramco Half Marathon, finishing in sixth and seventh place respectfully. Bor’s 10 mile split was 45:44, a good sign of his fitness. Along with impressive performances at the Atlanta Half Marathon and the New York City Half, both of which ran earlier in March, Bor appears to be running his fastest ever on the roads. Patrick Dever from Great Britian could surprise the International competition as he is coming off a fifth place performance, 1:00:11 at the Amarco Half Marathon, where he finished ahead of Bor and Kiptoo. Dever also took fourth place at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in 1:00:19, finishing just behind Bor who came in third place in 59:55. Shota Taguchi, Japan, will be making his 10 mile debut.
On the American women’s side, Fiona O’Keeffe looks to chase the women’s 10 mile American record while challenging for the overall win. The U.S. 2024 Olympian is also coming off a strong race at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon where she ran a 1:07:46 for second place. Her big win at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2024, her first ever professional marathon, showcases her ability to perform at a high level in high pressure moments. O’Keeffe will be racing against Anne Frisbie, who finished third amongst female Americans at last year’s U.S. Women’s 10 Mile Championship and fifth overall. O’Keeffe and Frisbie are joined by Emma Grace Hurley, who is returning to CUCB after finishing fourth in 2023 and is coming off a second-place finish at the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon, the host of the 2025 USATF Half Marathon Championships, with a time of 1:07:35. Up-and-coming American runner Taylor Roe might be the most primed for victory out of the women as she bested Hurley at the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon by 13 seconds, taking first place and the U.S. Half Marathon Championship in 1:07:22. Known for her prowess on the track, Roe also just clocked a 30:58.66 on March 29 at The Ten, a 10,000 meter race, for fourth place.
Asayech Ayichew appears to be the toughest International competition for the Americans. Ayichew’s 10-mile personal best of 51:18, run at the 2024 Dam tot Damloop 10 Mile, is among the best in the field. Ayichew is joined by fellow Ethiopian Adane Animew, who will be making her 10-mile debut. Ayichew could play spoiler as she recently took sixth place at the 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon with a time of 1:08:02, and raced to fourth place in the Cardiff, Wales Half Marathon in 1:07:47 last October.
“Over the last two years, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom has witnessed top American runners blistering through the course with record-breaking times in pursuit of the USATF 10 Mile Championship,” expressed Event Director Phil Stewart. “With great weather and fast International competition to serve as further motivation, we are excited to see how this year’s field performs and possibly witness Hillary Bor defending his title once again.”
In 2025, the guaranteed American prize purse totals $42,600, split evenly between men and women, and the guaranteed international purse is $32,000, also split evenly between men and women. American runners placing in the top 10 overall are eligible to receive both open and American-only prize money.
Additional prize money is available for eligible athletes who break a World, American or Event record: $5,000 for a World or an American record and $3,000 for an Event record. There are also time incentives of $1,000 for the first male to run sub-46 minutes and first female to run sub-52 minutes, with an additional $750 on the line should a second male and/or female achieve those same sub-46 and sub-52 minute milestones.
The fastest times in the men’s field are just sub-46 minutes, with Kenyan Wesley Kiptoo holding a personal best of 45:54, set at last year’s CUCB victory, and American Hillary Bor with a 45:44 personal best. For the women, Ethiopian Asayech Ayichew boasts a 51:18 personal best, while Americans Fiona O’Keeffe comes in with a 51:42 personal best and Anne Frisbie will look to improve on her 52:01.
The 10 Mile will also serve as a stop on the 2024-2025 Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO) Circuit with the overall winners automatically qualifying for the $20,000 PRRO Super Bonus to be awarded at the PRRO Championship at the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY, this July. Other top finishers will earn points toward qualifying for the PRRO Super Bonus. A full breakdown of the available prize money for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile can be found here.
The inaugural Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 1973 was won by Sam Bair, in a time of 51:22; the women’s winner was Kathrine Switzer, in a time of 1:11:19; 127 men and 12 women ran that first race. Bill Rodgers holds the honor of most victories, with four consecutive wins between 1978 and 1981. Three women have each won the race three times: Julie Shea (1975-77), Lisa Weidenbach (1985, 89 and 90) and Lineth Chepkurui (2008-10). Ben Beach leads all Cherry Blossom finishers with an active streak of 51 years.
The elite runners will be joined by over 18,000 other participants for the “Runner’s Rite of Spring.” Additionally, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K presented by Asics, recently named the Best 5K Race by the USA Today 10Best readers, returns to Freedom Plaza on Saturday, April 5 at 9:15 a.m. Of the over 7,000 5K runners, 2,400 of them are Double Blossom participants who complete the 3.1 mile distance on Saturday and the 10 mile on Sunday. Following the 5K on Saturday is the Kids Run presented by Amazon, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. for ages four to 10.
Race participants and the general public are invited to the Health and Fitness Expo presented by Wegmans at the National Building Museum where there will be series of clinics on Saturday, headlined by Lauren Fleshman, author of the best-selling book Good for Girl, and four-time race winner Bill Rodgers. Click here for the full line-up of clinic speakers.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K presented by Asics was recently awarded the designation of Best 5K by the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice poll. Voting for the award opened on February 24, 2025 and closed on March 24. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K presented by Asics ended up getting the most votes among a notable group of 5K races, including such iconic events as the Carlsbad 5000, Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, and The 5K - Big Sur International Marathon.
Event Director Phil Stewart said: “There are more 5K races in the U.S. than any other distance, so to end up at the top of this list based on the votes of runners from around the country is incredibly satisfying and a tribute to our hard-working organizing committee. We hope that runners everywhere will put our event on their bucket list and come join us.”
Last year, the event organizers introduced Stumpy the mascot, an homage to the resiliency displayed by the erstwhile tiny cherry tree that used to reside along the tidal basin before construction required the tree’s removal. In that same display of spirit, one runner lining up for this year's 5K is Tracy Fox, who lost part of a limb in a bus accident while visiting Washington DC a little over a year ago. Her residual limb, affectionally known as “Stumpy Jo,” attracted Tracy to participate in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K when she learned about the mascot Stumpy. It will be her second 5K since the incident.
Again this year, 10 Mile participants will be able to access the Metrorail two hours early, with normal service on all lines beginning at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 6. Metro’s standard 7:00 a.m. opening on Saturday, April 5 will make it a transportation option for participants in the 5K.
Thanks to Credit Union Miracle Day’s title sponsorship since 2002, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run has raised over $11.5 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including $550,000 in 2024. The 2025 fundraising total will be announced at a special check presentation moments before the start of the 10 Mile.
2025 Event Timetable
Friday, April 4
National Building Museum
2:00 P.M. — 8:00 P.M.
Health and Fitness Expo presented by Wegmans
(Packet pickup for 10 Mile, 5K, Double Blossom and Kids Run closes at 7:45 P.M.)
Saturday, April 5
Freedom Plaza – 5K presented by Asics
7:00 A.M. — 8:45 A.M.
5K race bib and t-shirt pickup
9:10 A.M.
Opening Ceremonies for Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K presented by Asics
9:13 A.M.
Presentation of the colors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and singing of the National Anthem by Choral Arts Society of Washington
9:15 A.M
5K Mass Start
5K course closes at 10:30
10:15 A.M.
5K Awards Ceremony
Freedom Plaza – Kids Run presented by Amazon
9:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.
Kids Run bib and t-shirt pickup
10:53 A.M.
Opening ceremony for the Kids Run presented by Amazon
10:58 A.M.
Singing of the National Anthem by Choral Arts Society of Washington
11:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Kids Run presented by Amazon
Saturday, April 5
National Building Museum
9:00 A.M. — 5:00 P.M.
Health and Fitness Expo presented by Wegmans
(Packet pickup for 10 Mile closes at 4:45 P.M.)
11:00 A.M. — 3:30 P.M.
Speakers Program in National Building Museum Auditorium. Click here for schedule.
Sunday, April 6
Washington Monument Grounds
5:00 A.M.
Metro opens for travel to the race
7:00 A.M.
Deadline for check in at media tent for anyone seeking press truck access — first come, first served
7:13 A.M.
Presentation of the colors by the Naval District of Washington Ceremonial Color Guard and singing of the National Anthem by Choral Arts Society of Washington
7:18 A.M.
Advance start for elite and seeded women
7:20 A.M.
Credit Union Miracle Day check presentation at start line
7:28 A.M.
Wheelchair and Duo Racers start
7:30 A.M.
10 Mile start for elite international and U.S. men as well as the first of six mass start waves, five more of which will depart every 3-4 minutes thereafter
7:55 A.M.
Final wave of 10 Mile starts
8:00 A.M.
Starting line closed; no late starters allowed
8:09 A.M.
Expected arrival time of female winner
8:15 A.M.
Expected arrival time of male winner
10:15 A.M.
Formal awards ceremony begins (age group and team awards are not given out on race day)
8:00 P.M.
Results posted at www.CherryBlossom.org
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