Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and USA Track & Field announced today that the 2014 USA 10 Mile Championships for both men and women will be presented by America’s Credit Unions, and will be held in conjunction with the 42nd running of the “Runners Rite of Spring®” in Washington, D.C. on April 6. As in years past, there will be an advance start for the elite women, providing them an opportunity to compete for records that will be recognized as coming from a women’s-only race.
“Last year was our first to host a USA 10 Mile Championship event,” said Phil Stewart, Event Director of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, “and the additional excitement of having a strong American presence made us want to do it again. Thanks to the tremendous support of America’s Credit Unions, we are looking forward hosting both the men’s and women’s USA 10 Mile Championship events this year.”
Stewart added: “The current U.S. Men’s 10 mile record of 46:13 was set by Greg Meyer at this event way back in 1983, and we think it is time for the top U.S. men to chase it down in 2014. Janet Bawcom’ssingle-sex American Record of 53:28, set here last year, seems well within reach as well. We’d love to see a dual American record setting day on April 6.”
“The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run is one of this country’s great races,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “We are pleased to return for the 2014 USA 10 Mile Championships. Fast courses, first-rate organization and strong partnerships make for a great experience for everyone involved.”
With the U.S. Championship purse being added to the traditional international purse, the event will offer over $80,000 in prize money and bonuses. If an American man were to win the race and break the American record with a sub-46:00 time, he would earn $16,500. The last American man to with the race was Chris Fox in 1990. If an American woman were to win the race, and break the American record with a sub 52:00 time, she would also take home $16,500. The last American Woman to win the race was Joan Nesbit in 1996. (Colleen De Reuck was competing for South Africa when she the mixed gender record of 51:16 in 1998.)
