Pace Groups
Pace Groups: Find Your People, Chase Your Goal!
So, you’ve signed up to run the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile or Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K Presented by ASICS—or maybe both races — nice move! Whether you’re gunning for a personal best or just hoping to avoid the post-race “I should’ve trained more” regret, our official Pace Groups are here to help you cross the finish line smiling (or at least not collapsing).
Joining a Pace Group is like having a built-in running buddy, except this buddy is a super-fit, distance-running machine who can keep a steady pace without breaking a sweat (we’re not jealous, you are). Plus, it’s totally free!
How Do Pace Groups Work?
Simple. Each Pace Group has a leader — a cheerful, experienced runner with superhero-level pacing skills — who will hold a sign with a set pace-per-mile. All you have to do is:
- Find the person with your desired pace sign in your starting corral.
- Introduce yourself (or don’t — we get it, pre-race nerves).
- Stick with them like they’re your best friend holding the last slice of pizza.
- Cross the finish line right around your goal time.
Our pacers know the course like yesterday’s news, and they’ll do their best to keep the group motivated, entertained, and on track. You might even get a few dad jokes along the way — no extra charge.
5K Pace Groups
Here’s what we’re offering for the 5K. Pick your poison:
| Pace Per Mile | Finish Time |
| (min) | (hours/min) |
| 7:00 | 21min 42sec |
| 7:30 | 23min 15sec |
| 8:00 | 24min 48sec |
| 8:30 | 26min 21sec |
| 9:00 | 27min 54sec |
| 9:30 | 29min 27sec |
| 10:00 | 31min 00sec |
| 10:30 | 32min 33sec |
| 11:00 | 34min 06sec |
If you’re aiming for a specific finish time, hop in with the group that matches your goal. If your goal is “survive and get a medal,” we respect that too.
10 Mile Pace Groups
Ah yes, the iconic Rite of Spring, the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler! If you’re tackling the full 10 miles, we’ve got pace groups that range from blazing fast to let’s just get through this in one piece.
| Pace Per Mile | Finish Time | Corral Color |
| (min) | (hours/min) | |
| 7:00 | 1hr 10min | Yellow |
| 7:30 | 1hr 15min | Yellow |
| 8:00 | 1hr 20min | Red |
| 8:30 | 1hr 25min | Red |
| 9:00 | 1hr 30min | Red or Blue* |
| 9:30 | 1hr 35min | Blue or Orange* |
| 10:00 | 1hr 40min | Orange or Green* |
| 10:30 | 1hr 45min | Green |
| 11:00 | 1hr 50min | Purple |
| 11:30 | 1hr 55min | Purple |
| 12:00 | 2hr 00min | Purple |
| 12:30 | 2hr 05min | Purple |
| 13:00 | 2hr 10min | Purple |
*Pro tip: Stick with the pacer in your assigned corral. If you signed up hoping to run a 9:30 pace and you’re in the Blue corral, find the 9:30 pacer there. If you’re in Orange, there will be a 9:30 pacer there too. Don’t stress — we’ve got you covered.
Where Do I Find My Pace Group on Race Day?
Look for the fit and friendly human holding a sign with your desired pace near your corral. Get there by 7:00 AM so you have time to chat, strategize, or just awkwardly stare at your shoelaces until the gun goes off.
Will We Start Exactly on Pace?
Sort of. With 17,000 runners, the first couple of miles might feel like you’re in a very slow stampede. But don’t panic — your pacer is a pro at adjusting and will work the pace back to goal time as the crowd thins. Trust them like you’d trust someone holding your phone with no case.
What About Water Stations?
Good news — we’re not trying to dehydrate you. Your pacer will slow down through Water-Gatorade stations to make sure you can grab a drink without performing a stunt fall. Drink up, stay strong, look for your pacer’s flag and keep moving.
Final Thought:
Running with a Pace Group is like getting a personal coach and instant friends, all for free. Whether you’re trying to PR, finish without collapsing, or just enjoy the scenery, we’ve got a group for you.
So find your people, chase your goal, and don’t be surprised if your pacer sneaks in a few running puns along the way. After all…
“Why do all the best runners avoid jogging? Because it’s a running joke.”