Today: The Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run

Posted by mysta on April 11, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The annual 10–mile Cherry Blossom Festival race starts at 07:30 this morning in Washington, when 15,000 registered runners will be taking part in it.

The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place every year in spring, celebrating the blossoming cherry trees, which were granted by Japan to the city in 1912. The 10 mile race, taking place for the 38^th, time closes the festival’s last weekend after kicking off in March 27, when 70% of the blossoms opened a couple of days later. In this years race we will be able to enjoy the participation of Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bill Rodgers, both Boston Marathon legends. For Samuelson this is the first time for her taking part in this race. Other runners taking part in it are: Lineth Chepkurui from Kenya, Belaynesh Zemedkun from Ethiopia, John Korir, Gilbert Okari, and class of the field Tilahun Regassa and Lelisa Desessa also Ethiopian. The 15,000 runners come from 49 different states and from a dozen of foreign countries. A “satellite” race will be set-up at Camp Eggers, in Kabul, Afganistan, in the spirit of supporting the US troops far away from home.