The annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run this year will include officialsponsorship of men's and women's events sanctioned by USA Track& Field.

The April 6 event in Washington, D.C., will again feature manyof the nation's top runners and will be promoted as “Presented byAmerica's Credit Unions,” said the event sponsor since 2002, CreditUnion Miracle Day.

“This designation elevates not only this world-class runningevent, it also raises awareness of credit unions' commitment toserving their member-owners and communities,” said Charlie Mallon,president/CEO of the $783 million Congressional Federal CreditUnion and race committee chairman.

More than 15,000 runners, including nearly 800 Capitol Hillstaffers, are expected to compete in the 10-mile run again thisyear.

Last year, when the USA Women's Championship was held at theevent, Janet Bawcom set an American record for 10 miles, finishingthe course in 53:28, organizers said.

Credit Union Miracle Day is a collaboration of 86 credit unionsand 59 business partners, including leadpartner PSCU, that have donated more than $6 million toChildren's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country under theumbrella of Credit Unions for Kids.

Also in the Family of Races are the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run inSacramento, Calif., and two runs for troops at Camp Arifjan inKuwait and Wiesbaden Army Garrison in Germany.