On both the east and west coasts, Sunday, April 12, 2015 provedto be a beautiful day for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten MileRun in Washington, DC and the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run inSacramento, Calif.

In Washington, over 800 congressional staffers participated inthe 43rd Cherry Blossom Run, which has been dubbed the Runner'sRite of Spring and was featured in the bucket list of thingsto do in D.C. in the March issue of the WashingtonianMagazine.

“Another great year of credit union participation in aphenomenal race to help children needing medical treatment at ourlocal children's hospitals,” Charlie Mallon, chair of the CreditUnion Cherry Blossom Race Committee and president/CEO ofCongressional FCU said. “We are grateful for the hundreds of creditunion volunteers who help on race weekend, and the hundreds ofMembers of Congress who support this cause.”

Over 1,500 runners, including more than 500 credit unionparticipants, lined up for the Fifth Annual Credit Union SacTownTen-Mile Run. In addition, more than 200 credit union staff andmembers worked at the event as volunteers.

“We're honored to join the Sacramento Running Association, forthe fourth consecutive year, in hosting such a wonderful event. Theinvolvement of California and Nevada credit unions spotlight ourmission of changing people's lives. We are thrilled to haveexceeded our fundraising goal this year, raising more than $140,000that will benefit local Children's Hospitals throughout bothstates,” Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and NevadaCredit Union Leagues said.

The two races, sponsored by credit unions and their businesspartners through Credit Union Miracle Day, had exciting results. Atthe Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run Mary Wacera of Kenya was thefastest female runner at 48:34 and Stephen Sambu, also of Kenya,was the top male runner at 43:20.

Over in California, the top male runner was Jordan Chipangama ofFlagstaff, Ariz., at 48:24, and the top female runner Jane Kibii,from Auburn, Calif. set a new course record at 54:17.

It wasn't just about speed and breaking records. Credit UnionMiracle Day, the title sponsor group of a family of races, donated$525,852 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitalsnationwide. Of that amount, nearly $100,000 has been raisedonline by over 300 credit union members, runners, their familiesand friends. Since credit unions became the title sponsors in 2002,over $7 million has been donated to CMNHs nationwide.

“These spectacular race events demonstrate the power of creditunions to unite for a great cause, the health of children,”TheresaMann, chair of Credit Union Miracle Day said. “We are so pleased toreach the $7 million donation mark, and appreciate all of thecredit unions and business partners which donate their financialand human resources to achieve these positive results.”

In case you didn't get a chance to participate here's a look atboth events.

First up Credit Union SacTown:

The Credit Union SacTown Run kickoff.

Team San Diego County Credit Union on the West Capitolsteps.

Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and NevadaCredit Union Leagues and Sarah Canepa Bang, president/chiefstrategy officer CO-OP Shared Branching are sporting their CMNcapes and ready for the Credit Union SacTown Run.

Team SDCCU ready to race.

Ready for the Cherry Blossom Run?

Runners ready to start the 43rd Credit Union CherryBlossom Ten Mile Run.

The women's elite pack starts their 10 mile run.

NAFCU president/CEO Dan Berger and CUNA Chair Susan Streifelhold the banner as elite-runner Mary Wacera from Kenya is the firstto cross the finish line.

CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle before the Cherry Blossom Runbegins.