Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Weekend 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Cherry Blossom Race Weekend is almost here. Whether you're running the 5K on Saturday or the 10 Miler on Sunday (or both!), here's what you need to know before you show up.
Packet Pickup
The expo runs at the National Building Museum, 401 F St NW, on Friday, April 10 from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is right across the street from the Judiciary Square Metro station on the Red Line. Parking is limited, so take the Metro or bus if you can. Bring your ID to pick up your bib, and if you're grabbing a bib for someone else, bring their ID too.
Cherry Blossom 5K
Saturday, April 11, 8 a.m.
Virginia Highlands Park, 1600 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202
The 5K starts Saturday morning at Virginia Highlands Park in Arlington, close to the Pentagon City station on the Yellow and Blue Lines. If you didn't grab your bib at the expo, race day pickup is available at the park from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. Bag check opens at 6:30 a.m.
Wave order runs gold, silver, white, and pink. The course closes at 9:15 a.m., giving runners a 75-minute limit. Pacers will be available from 7:00 to 11:00 minutes per mile. There's one water stop on the course, at mile 1.5.
Kids Run
The Kids Run (course map) takes place at Virginia Highlands Park immediately after the 5K, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Age groups start at four years old and go up year by year through age 10. Parents are welcome to run alongside their children, though the first heat of each age group goes off without parents.
Packet pickup for the Kids Run is available at the museum during expo hours or at the park on race morning between 8:15 and 9:25 a.m.
Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Sunday, April 12, 7:30 a.m.
Washington Monument
The main event starts Sunday at the Washington Monument. Multiple Metro options put you close: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle on the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines; Metro Center on the Red Line; Archives-Navy Memorial on the Yellow and Green Lines. There is no race day bib pickup for the 10 Miler, so get to the expo. Bag check opens at 6:15 a.m.
Waves go in this order: yellow, red, blue, orange, green, and purple. The time limit is 2 hours and 20 minutes, with pacers from 7:00 to 13:00 minutes per mile. Water and Gatorade stops are at miles 2.25, 4, 6, 7.5, and 8.75.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
No dogs on the course for either race. Open-ear headphones are the move if you like to run with audio. It keeps you aware of what's around you and the race will thank you for it.
Download the race app here.
