By Joséphine Demos
On April 6th, Southwest hosted elite and amateur runners from around the world as they coursed through the Credit Union Cherry Blossom (CUCB) 10 mile run.
The event, dubbed The Runner’s Rite of Spring, has long been a prevernal tradition for many of Washington’s amateur runners. For the third year in a row, the race doubled as the USA Track and Field (USATF) Ten Mile National Championship, drawing in elite runners from all over the United States hopeful for a national title. International competitors, who were able to run although not considered for the national podium, added themselves to the competitive field.
With morning temperature in the mid-50s, overcast skies, and a relatively flat course, conditions were ideal for record breaking times.
The women elite runners were first to set out on the course–a head start which ensures women cannot use men competitors for pacing, certifying the race as “women’s-only”.
Among the elite women’s heat were notable stars like Fiona O’Keefe. The American Olympian made headlines last year by winning the Olympic Trials with her first ever marathon; she qualified for the trials with her half marathon time. Rookies were also on the attendance sheet, among them Emma Grace Hurley and Taylor Roe.
Roe turned professional just less than a year ago when she signed on as a Puma Athlete. This month, she was the one to break the tape at the CUCB finish, earning her the title of National Champ in the 10 mile distance. Roe secured more than the top spot on the podium; her time of 49:53 also earned her the new American Record and World’s Best in the distance– achievements she seemingly didn’t set out for. “I didn’t know what the record was going in. I still don’t know what the record is,” she told The Southwester at the finish line, “It wasn’t on my radar.”
When asked about her experience running the DC course, Roe, who was competing on college tracks until just recently, said, “It was really fun. I mean, I am new to this road stuff. I’m new to the professional scene, so everytime I go out it’s a learning experience.”
Emma Grace Hurley and Fiona O’Keefe took 2nd and 3rd place in the National Championships. Adane Anmaw, from Ethiopia and thus not eligible for a spot on the USATF podium, beat out Hurley for second place in the overall race.
The men’s elite field was similarly made up of a mix of rookies and seasoned vets. Hilary Bor, who competed for Team USA at the 2020 Olympics, returned to defend his national title, having won the CUCB ten mile race in 2024 where he set the American record at 45:56.
Bor did not make the podium this year. Instead, first place went to Charles Hicks, a 23 year old Nike athlete who switched his allegiance from Great Britain to the USA earlier this year. Hicks reflected on winning the U.S. title in the nation’s capital, telling the Southwester, “This is my first time [in DC]. I was actually born in England, so I never got that middle school field trip. This is also the first time I’ve ever been representing the United States, because I used to represent Great Britain.” In light of these firsts, Hicks recognizes the significance of his win “I’ve got to say, it’s pretty symbolic in a lot of ways for me.”
Despite his time of 45:14, beating Bor’s previously held American record, technicalities surrounding athletes with dual-citizenship mean Hicks is not credited with breaking the American record. Alex Maier, who crossed the finish line in second place, just one second later, now holds the American Record for the 10 mile distance at 45:15. Biya Simbassa rounded out the podium in third place, with Bor following in fourth.
Including elite and amateur runners, the record breaking course was enjoyed by 19,637 finishers– 5,647 from DC. For Washingtonians, the sight of runners on the cherry blossom-lined roads signaled the start of spring.
