The popular tree, along with some 140 other cherry trees, will be removed from around the Tidal Basin this summer
March 13, 2024, Washington, DC: The National Park Service just announced that it is preparing for a three-year, $113 million rehabilitation of the seawalls around the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River through West Potomac Park funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund. As part of the rehabilitation project, some 140 cherry trees, including the popular tree known as “Stumpy” to Washington, DC residents, and the new mascot of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K, will be removed.
Phil Stewart, director of the Cherry Blossom events, stated, “Like many, we are saddened to see Stumpy and approximately 140 other cherry trees slated for removal from the Tidal Basin. However, we understand the critical need for the National Park Service’s construction work on the seawall as a long-term investment in keeping the trees vibrant into the future. This news makes 2024 the perfect year for us to celebrate Stumpy, as the tree will be featured on our participant shirts and finisher medals, and even make his debut as our new mascot. We look forward to commemorating Stumpy throughout our race weekend of April 6-7 with a parade of 10 Mile and 5K runners who can say farewell to a generation of trees that have created a beautiful landscape for many years, while ensuring a safe environment for a new generation. In true Stumpy fashion, his resiliency will be showcased once again as he will live on as the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile mascot.”
About Credit Union Cherry Blossom:
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom, organized by Cherry Blossom, Inc., a 501c(3)chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®” in the Nation’s Capital. The staging area for the 10 Mile is on the Washington Monument Grounds and the course passes in sight of all of the major Washington, D.C. Memorials. The 5K begins at Freedom Plaza and proceeds down Pennsylvania Ave. to the U.S. Capitol building, tracing the route of Presidential Inaugurations. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across North America. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, D.C.’s own Children’s National (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds the Road Runners Club of America’s “RunPro Camp,” a program to teach top recently-graduated U.S. collegiate distance runners about life as a professional runner.
Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc., a consortium of credit unions and credit union suppliers, is the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5K and Kids Run. Presenting sponsors include ASICS, BellSant, REI, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Wegmans; supporting sponsors include CO-OP Solutions, PSCU, TruStage, Outside+, Potomac River Running, Gatorade Endurance, Suburban Solutions, United Lifestyle Brands and The Westin Washington DC Downtown hotel.
The 10 Mile is sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the Road Runners Club of America and is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit, a series of this country’s classic road races with circuit stops in Washington, D.C.; Spokane, WA; Utica, NY; and Davenport, IA. The 5K was voted the Best 5K in the country by a 2023 USA Today poll. To learn more, visit https://www.cherryblossom.org/.
