WASHINGTON–Credit union-sponsored races drew big crowds and raised big money for charity on both coasts on Sunday.
With the namesake trees in bloom, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run drew approximately 2,500 racers in Washington, while in Sacramento, Calif., more than 2,000 runners participated in the SacTown Run—nearly half of whom were credit union employees and members. Both events also held 5K run/walks to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
In the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run, Jamal Yimer of Ethiopia won the men’s division with a time of 46:17, with Aweke Ayalew Yimer finishing just five seconds behind at 46:22. In the women’s division, Ethiopians finished in the top four spots, with Buze Diriba winning with a time of 53:45, followed by Hiwot Gebrekidan at 53:48.
In the Capitol Hill Challenge for federal employees, Adam Staveski of the Congressional Budget Office won in the men’s division with a time of 54:35, while Breanna Deutsch of Sen. Steve Daines’ (R-MT) office won the women’s division with a time of 1:02:40.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 is a sanctioned event by the Professional Road Running Association and a total of $100,500 in prize money and bonuses was up for grabs this year.
St. Petersburg, Fla.-based PSCU and Madison, Wis.-based CUNA Mutual were primary sponsors.
In Washington, more than 200 members of Congress were involved as honorary race co-chairs, and more than 600 congressional staff members and others from the federal government participated in the run that wound its way among many of the capital’s most famous landmarks.
Nearly $400,000 Raised
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom event raised more than $380,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, according to organizers. Since 2002, Credit Union Miracle Day, the organizers of the event, reported that more than $8 million has been raised. This year’s $380,000 check was presented to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at a ceremony prior to the race at the U.S. Capitol.
Since 2002, more than $8 million has been donated to CMNHs nationwide.
Presenting check, are from left Catherine Safady, VP Membership & Sales, NAFCU; Phil Stewart, Race Director; Eili Joseph, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, CUNA; John Bratsakis, President/CEO, MD|DC Credit Union Association; Felicity Guerin, CU4Kids Development Manager, CUNA; Sean Zimmerman, CEO, Congressional Federal Credit Union; Tim McAdow, VP Sales Operations & Marketing, CUNA Mutual Group; Ken Kramer, President/CEO, United States Senate Federal Credit Union; Jan Roche, President/CEO, State Department FCU; Merry Pateuk, VP of Corporate Communications, PSCU, and Theresa Mann, President/CEO, The Partnership FCU
“This popular run presents a unique opportunity to make a difference for children being cared for at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and raises visibility and awareness about all the good credit unions do for their members and communities, said John Bratsakis, chair of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Committee. “We are grateful for the support of co-lead partners, CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU, and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who donate their time to this event.”
With hundreds of credit union employees volunteering at the race, more than 8,100 credit union members were involved in the races, according to race organizers.
“We are honored to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for the 17th annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “It's great to see participants from both sides of the aisle come together to support children's hospitals and champion community good. Thank you to the credit unions and their members across the country who raised more than $300,000 for local hospitals.”
“As a longtime champion of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run, NAFCU is extremely honored to participate in this race benefiting children's hospitals every year,” said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “Not only does this event bring people together in support of a great cause, but it gives a voice to the nearly one-in-10 children across the nation who are treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This race is emblematic of the credit union spirit of giving back to our surrounding communities, and we thank the men and women who come from all across the nation to make it a success.”
SacTown Race Raises $235,000
Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the SacTown Run, which began and ended at California’s state capitol, California and Nevada’s credit unions raised more than $235,000 from the race in which more than 2,000 runners participated.
In addition to the 10-mile run, the event also included the UC Davis Children’s Hospital Miracle Mile fun run and fitness walk, a 5K, and the “Homemade-Half Challenge” (for those interested in running the equivalent of a half-marathon). The event is hosted by the Sacramento Running Association and also serves as the Pacific Association 10-Mile Championship.
“We’re excited to celebrate our seventh anniversary with the Sacramento Running Association in hosting such a wonderful and meaningful event. Thanks to credit unions and businesses in California and Nevada, together we have raised more than $1.5 million over the past seven years to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout both states,” said Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
“CO-OP Financial Services is proud to sponsor the Credit Union SacTown Run, with proceeds from the event going to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the country,” said CO-OP Vice President, Experiential Marketing and Engagement Joe Franklin. “CMN Hospitals are committed to helping all sick kids get the finest health care possible, regardless of their family's ability to pay. The fundraising will also help underwrite important research and medical equipment for the treatment of children.”
Another major sponsor of this year’s event was CU Direct. “We’re excited and honored to once again support the SacTown Race for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said CU Direct President and CEO Tony Boutelle. “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a special cause for credit unions, and we are pleased to be helping raise funds for this great organization and the children they serve in our communities.”
One Person's Personal Story
In the SacTown Run the top male runner was Sid Vaughn of Colorado with a time of 47:46. The top female runner was, for at least the third consecutive year, was Jane Kibii of Auburn with a time of 55:22. Angela House, a former patient from UC Davis Children’s Hospital, once again sang the national anthem—her third time in as many years doing the honors.
“Also participating at the event was Mark Payne. He along with seven members of his family ran the 5K proudly wearing their Team Brooklyn t-shirts in honor of his first child who was born prematurely,” noted the California and Nevada leagues in a statement. “Last July, on the same day Mark Payne started his first day of work, his wife Melanie started having contractions. She wasn’t due until Oct. 27. Their daughter Brooklyn was born on July 18 at only 25 weeks, weighing one pound, four ounces. Things looked dire. At two months old, Brooklyn has her first surgery—a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligation to close a hole in her heart. Two eye surgeries followed. The Payne’s spent months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Today, Brooklyn is 13 pounds, grabbing and giggling; scooting and smiling. She is developmentally on track.”
“Thank you for everything all of you do,” said Payne at a news conference kicking off the weekend of festivities. “It’s very impactful for people like us, who never think they’re going to have to encounter something like that until it happens.”
“But what a wonderful place to be, and with all the resources that UC Davis has we feel so blessed, we have our beautiful daughter to show for it,” added Melanie Payne.
Major sponsors of this year’s event were California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CO-OP Financial Services, CU Direct, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greater Nevada Credit Union, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Travis Credit Union, Wescom Credit Union, and Walmart.
Below, top male runner Sid Vaughn of Colorado.
