For more than 50 years, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run has been known as The Runner's Rite of Spring. Every April, thousands of runners from across the country and around the gather in Washington, DC, to experience one of America's most iconic road races.

What makes this race so special isn't just the distance. It's the course.

The route takes runners past some of our nation's most recognizable landmarks, including Memorial Bridge, Memorial Circle, Ohio Drive, and Hains Point. These aren't simply roads on a map—they are public spaces where history, recreation, and natural beauty come together.

Unfortunately, two proposed projects could significantly change that experience.

Proposed Changes

The organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run recently alerted participants that:

• A proposed Memorial Arch on Memorial Circle could affect access to one of the race's most memorable sections on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge.
• Proposed renovations to the golf course at East Potomac Park could affect Ohio Drive, the Hains Point loop, and a three-mile stretch of cherry tree-lined roadway that runners have enjoyed for decades.

While planning and preservation often require balancing competing priorities, these proposals deserve careful public review because they affect places that belong to everyone.

More Than a Race

Even if you've never run the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, you've likely enjoyed these spaces.

Every day, Memorial Bridge, Memorial Circle, Ohio Drive, and Hains Point are used by:

• Runners
• Walkers
• Cyclists
• Families
• Visitors
• Tourists
• Photographers

They are among Washington's most recognizable public landscapes.

The Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run simply highlights what makes these places special throughout the rest of the year.

Make Your Voice Heard

The race organizers are encouraging runners and supporters to participate in the public process.

Here are four ways you can help:

1. Contact Your U.S. Representative
   house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
2. Contact Your U.S. Senators
   senate.gov/senators/contact/
3. Submit Comments on the Proposed Memorial Arch
   https://home.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-invites-additional-public-comment-of-the-triumphal-arch-assessment-of-effects-report.htm
4. Contact the National Park Service Regarding East Potomac Park
   nps.gov/nama/contacts.htm

Protect the Run

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run has become a Washington tradition because of the remarkable places it showcases.

Whether you're a runner, a visitor, or someone who values public parks and historic landscapes, this is an opportunity to participate in the conversation about their future.

Let's work together to preserve the places that have inspired generations of runners and visitors alike.

​Protect the Run. Protect the Places That Make It Possible.