Meet the 2025 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Ambassadors!

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run selected four runners to be the 2025 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Ambassadors Team. These individuals will spend the next few months telling the world all about their race experiences on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and their blogs. Our Race Ambassadors get free entry into the race, apparel from our race sponsors, and invites to all of our VIP events. We will be selecting CUCB 2026 Ambassadors after the 2025 race – applications will open in August 2025! 

John Calabrese

John got into running in 2017. In an attempt to help manage the stress he was dealing with while going through a divorce, he signed up to run a marathon. John jumped in motivated and never looked back. After his first marathon, he did another and another marathon. He ran many races from one mile to over 100 miles on all roads, towpaths, beaches, trails, and many more. He lost count as to many races he has run, and he enjoys adventures with his family and friends.

John first ran the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 2019. He pushed his buddy Justin, in his racing wheelchair, in conjunction with the charity group Ainsley’s Angels. It was one of the best racing experiences he’s ever had.

John then went on to run the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 2023 and 2024. He loves running the race with his girlfriend and dressing up for it. They plan race outfits that incorporate the beautiful cherry blossoms. They have done many different races, but the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile is their “favorite race,” and they look forward to it every year. They are also big fans of the race’s new mascot, Stumpy!

Follow John on Instagram @breezytrailhead.

Jonathan Ladson

Jonathan, better known as “Fogell,” is a Northern Virginia native and resident whose passion for competition began as a young Tae Kwon Do champion before transitioning into amateur boxing. He also served as a sparring partner for numerous world champions and Olympians. A boxing injury led him to discover running, a sport he has grown to love ever since.

As an accomplished runner, Fogell is often found chasing podium spots, pursuing FKTs (Fastest Known Times), and challenging himself with new distances. Notably, he set the record for running around the 495 Capital Beltway in the summer of 2023. Using humor and “dad jokes,” he inspires his Strava and social media followers, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones to achieve their biggest goals and find greatness within themselves. He has completed five of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, with only the Tokyo Marathon remaining to earn his sixth star. He has also completed six ultramarathons, including the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, more than two dozen marathons, and countless shorter races. Having competed in seven different countries, he’s still deciding which one is his favorite.

Fogell has had the pleasure of running the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile multiple times and was the winner of the Double Blossom 5K & 10-Miler Challenge in 2024. He plans to return next year to defend his title and become a two-time Double Blossom champion. Fogell is excited to serve as an ambassador and looks forward to bringing his fun, excitement, and passion to the event!

Follow Jonathan on Instagram @fogell_mcloving.

Sharon Schwei

Sharon spent most of her life uncomfortable with running and avoiding it as much as possible. It wasn’t until she started taking Orangetheory FItness classes at age 30 that she ran her first full mile. She fell in love with the feeling of accomplishment that came with conquering a new challenge, and running was the next big challenge to take on. She started running with Every Person Run Club (EPRC) in early 2023, and the community is what kept her coming back.

Now, Sharon is a captain and a run guide with EPRC and is passionate about making the running community inclusive. She believes firmly that there is space for everyone in the running world. Her motto is “if you run, you’re a runner!” Since she started running, she has completed several half marathons and 10-milers, and she has a goal of running her first marathon in 2025. She also enjoys taking on obstacle course races and is usually up for taking on any new challenge. She ran the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 2024 and is excited to run the iconic course again in 2025.

Though she grew up in New Jersey, Sharon has lived in DC for nearly two decades, so she considers this city home. She loves the way that running has allowed her to see so much of the city and feels lucky to have such a beautiful place to run all year long. When she’s not running, you can catch Sharon cheering on the Caps and the Nats, knitting or crocheting, hanging out with her husband, Daniel, and their two beagles, and volunteering as an adoption coordinator with Beagle Rescue Education and Welfare.

Follow Sharon on Instagram @sharbear914.

Fernanda Ruiz

Born and raised in Mexico City, Fer emigrated to Washington, DC in 2006. She started her running journey in her early 30s. At age 15, Fer dislocated her hip at a school basketball practice. This accident required bedrest, lots of physical therapy, and doctors told her she couldn’t run anymore. Many years later another doctor helped her to get back to running with more PT, and she hasn’t stopped running since!

Fer has run a few half marathons, two Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Runs, several road and trail races, and every New Year’s Eve, she runs a 12K with her family. Through running, she has found a wonderful community and dear friends who share her love for running. In 2019, she joined the DC Run Crew, who welcomed her with open arms and introduced her to track work. During Covid, Fer finished her first sprint triathlon in 2021 in Tulum, Mexico. In 2022, she joined GRIT USA, a multi-sport development team. Since joining GRIT, Fer has grown as an athlete and found a sense of belonging. Most recently, she competed for the second time at the USAT (USA Triathlon) National Championships.

As an athlete and immigrant, Fer wishes to connect more Spanish speaking immigrants to running spaces and to support them in their own running journeys. She has joined friends running their first 5K races and mentored new triathletes through their first sprint triathlon.

In 2025, Fer is looking forward to running her third Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, completing her first marathon swim with a 10K swim from Isla Mujeres to Cancun, and chasing another PR at the USAT National Championships.

Follow Fernanda Ruiz on Instagram @fernarf.