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Washington, District of Columbia10 miles Usually the first Sunday of April

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Weather & What to Wear

Past the Tidal Basin and the monuments, then out around Hains Point. Early-April mornings in DC are usually cool, and the wind off the Potomac at Hains Point can be brutal.

The quick answer

Plan for about 47°F (8°C) at the 07:00 start, feeling like 42°F (6°C), with 70% humidity and 8 mph wind, warming to roughly 50°F (10°C) by the finish. It rained on 1 of the last 10 race days. Wear: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Capris or Light Tights, Running Shoes.

Feels like 42°F (6°C) at the start · finish 50°F (10°C) · rain 1 of 10 · start air from 34°F (1°C) to 71°F (22°C)

Race-day weather, 2016 to 2025

Conditions at the 07:00 start on the race's usual date each year (usually the first Sunday of April). Years when the race was cancelled or moved still show that date's weather. Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 archive.

No time in mind?
PR band2025warmest202420232022202120202019201820172016coldest20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F

Bar: air temperature from start to finish · dot: feels-like effective temperature · ≫ windy (15+ mph) · rain · shaded: PR band 40–50°F

See the numbers
YearStart tempFeels likeFinishHumidityWindRainSky
202571°F (22°C)69°F71°F72%12 mph0.25 inOvercast
202440°F (4°C)34°F47°F77%7 mph–Clear
202345°F (7°C)35°F45°F55%12 mph–Clear
202246°F (8°C)42°F50°F84%3 mph–Mostly clear
202145°F (7°C)38°F51°F54%7 mph–Mostly clear
202048°F (9°C)45°F51°F88%4 mph–Mostly clear
201952°F (11°C)51°F56°F95%3 mph–Mostly clear
201849°F (9°C)43°F51°F58%5 mph–Overcast
201743°F (6°C)36°F46°F73%7 mph–Clear
201634°F (1°C)22°F36°F41%15 mph–Clear

Coldest start: 34°F (1°C) in 2016. Warmest: 71°F (22°C) in 2025. Wettest: 0.25 in in 2025.

How we estimate this

The time estimates apply published temperature–performance curves to this race's ten-year weather history. Performance peaks at an effective race temperature of roughly 40 to 50°F and degrades faster the warmer it gets and the slower you run (Ely et al., 2007; El Helou et al., 2012). Wind adds a cost that grows with the square of the wind speed (Pugh, 1971), split into head and tail components on point-to-point courses. Shorter races are penalised less. This is a model, not a prediction; your training and the course matter more.

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What to wear for a typical Cherry Blossom

Built from the 10-year average start conditions by the same engine as the live tool. Treat optional items as corral-only layers you can shed.

Upper body

  • essential

    Long Sleeve Tech Shirt

    Breathable moisture-wicking fabric

Lower body

  • essential

    Capris or Light Tights

    3/4 length for moderate warmth

Accessories

  • recommended

    Light Gloves

    Thin running gloves

  • recommended

    Headband

    Ear coverage without overheating

Footwear

  • essential

    Running Shoes

    Your regular training shoes

Race-day tips for the Cherry Blossom

  • •This is near-ideal racing weather. Dress as if it were 15°F warmer than the start temperature and resist the urge to add a layer.
  • •Humidity here is high. Sweat will not evaporate well, so wear the lightest, most open fabric you own and apply anti-chafe balm generously.
  • •Nothing new on race day: run your long runs in exactly what you plan to race in, including the socks.

Race-day gear picks

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weather usually like for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run?

Over 2016 to 2025 the start averaged 47°F (8°C) (feels like 42°F (6°C)) with 70% humidity and 8 mph wind, warming to about 50°F (10°C) by the finish. It rained measurably on 1 of those 10 race days. The coldest start was 34°F (1°C) in 2016; the warmest was 71°F (22°C) in 2025.

What should I wear for the Cherry Blossom?

For a typical 47°F (8°C) start: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Capris or Light Tights, Running Shoes. Dress for about 15°F warmer than the start temperature, since the race itself adds that much, and plan to shed anything you only need in the corral.

When is the next Cherry Blossom?

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run is usually held on usually the first Sunday of April. The next expected date is Sunday, April 4, 2027. Confirm on the official site, since dates occasionally move.

How accurate is the race-day forecast?

The live forecast on this page comes from Open-Meteo and unlocks 16 days before the race. Forecasts inside 7 days are reliable for temperature within a few degrees; rain timing firms up in the last 2 to 3 days. Until then, the 10-year history above is the best planning guide.

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