WASHINGTON-Credit unions are trying the make Washington, D.C.'s2006 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run more of a nationwideevent for credit unions. "There's always been a sense that this isa nationwide event," commented The Summit Federal Credit UnionPresident and CEO Mike Vadala, who is heading up a new Credit UnionMiracle Day Inc. committee to expand participation among creditunions outside the Washington, D.C.-area. Vadala explained that theobvious visibility credit unions gain from the race that attractsrunners from all corners of the globe is good for the entireindustry, but credit unions generally like to have "a local feel"to the money they put out. Though the event is held in D.C., creditunion funds are being earmarked to go back to their localhospitals. The Cherry Blossom Run benefits the Children's MiracleNetwork. The committee is brand new, Vadala pointed out. "We'restill working on the specifics and we're going to have to do itquickly," he said. Vadala added that the committee is trying to besensitive to other programs already out there, too. The Summit CEOhas run most of his life, he said, and participated in the run mostyears that the credit unions have sponsored it. Online entries forthe April 2 race, which tends to fill up in a matter of weeks, canbe submitted beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on Dec. 12. Mail-inentries will begin being distributed in early December. A maximumof 10,000 runners will be accepted, including 1,000 set aside forsponsor credit union-entrants. The event is providing $31,500 inprize money, its largest purse ever. Race Event Director PhilStewart recently announced that an extra "all-women's event" toinclude 30 elite female runners will begin 10 minutes before theregular race time in order to establish an official world recordfor an all-women's race.