Cherry Tree Ten Miler and Relay

Sun, Feb 18, 2024, 10 am

Bib Pick-up: Pre-race bib pickup will take place at Fleet Feet Brooklyn, Fri 2/16 from 4-6 pm and Sat 2/17 12-6 pm. Race Day bib pickup will take place at Lakeside from 8:30-9:45 am.

Online Race Registration Deadline: Thu 2/15 at 11:59pm for relay teams, Sat 2/17 at 11:59pm for individual entries. If you do not register online, you can also register in-person at our bib pick-up sessions. There is NO race day registration.

It's the 29th edition of our signature mid-winter race!

From 1996 to today, the Cherry Tree has always been the Race for the Hardcore. Rain, sleet, snow or cold, we show up for this 10 Mile race and relay.

Run 10 miles on your own - 3 full loops of Prospect Park (plus an additional 36.988 meters to the finish), or form a team of 3 runners, with each runner completing one 3.33-mile loop. 

• All entrants receive a tech neck gaiter as a race souvenir.  In the interest of environmental protection and waste reduction, you can opt-out from receiving a neck gaiter during race registration.

• Race Day Number and Souvenir distribution on Sunday, February 18 is at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.  Hours:  8:30 to 10 am.  No in-person registration on race day.

• Race Day baggage check is available at the Bluestone Cafe at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside from 8:30 am to 1 pm.

• In the interest of safety, strollers and pets are prohibited from the course.

• Medals will be awarded to all race finishers.

• Post-race refreshments including hot chocolate, bagels and fruit will be served at the Bluestone Cafe at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.

• 10-Mile Awards:  Cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 to the top 3 overall finishers in the Male, Female and Non-binary categories.  Cherry Tree mugs to top 3 Male, Female, and Non-binary age group finishers:  19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.  Cash prize winners are ineligible for age group awards.

• Relay Awards:  Cherry Tree mugs to each member of the first team in the following categories:  All Male, All Female, All Non-binary, Mixed (any combination of Male/Female/Non-binary), Youth (all members age 18 and younger), Masters (all members age 40 and over).

• Course Map: The 10 mile course consists of 3 full loops around Prospect Park, plus an extra 36.988 meters to the Finish.

Time Limit

Runners have up to 2.5 hours to complete the 10 miles - this is a pace of 15 minutes per mile.  Scoring mats will remain in place until 12:30 pm.

The Cherry Tree takes place rain or shine.  We will announce any decision to modify or cancel the event due to weather conditions that could adversely impact roadway safety no later than the morning of the race.   Messages will be posted through email, PPTC social media, and on this website.

The Cherry Tree 10-mile course is certified by USA Track & Field.  Course certificate #NY23042DNB.

Prospect Park Track Club welcomes athletes of all abilities.  If you have questions about our race accommodations, please email us cherrytree@pptc.org.

Registration Deadlines and Pricing

Online Entry Deadline:  Saturday, February 17 at 11:59 pm. 

Relay Team online Entry Deadline: Thursday, February 15 at 11:59 pm.

In-person Registration:  **NEW** There is NO in-person paper registration at pre-race number pickup.  Instead, you can continue to register online through Saturday, February 17, and then come to the bib pickup location during the scheduled hours.  There is NO in-person registration on Race Day.

Entry Fees (per runner):  Register early for the best price!

• $33 through December 31

• $43 from January 1 through January 31

• $48 from February 1 through February 17

Registrations can be transferred between the 10-Mile and Relay events prior to Race Day.  Please email us at cherrytree@pptc.org.

PPTC DOES NOT OFFER BIB TRANSFERS OR REFUNDS ON ENTRY FEES.

Relay Teams

Use the 3 Person 10 Mile Relay option to register.  All 3 Relay Team members do not need to register at the same time, however multiple entries can be submitted together.  The first person to register creates the team, and the remaining members sign up at their convenience.  The entry fee charged to each team member is based on the price in effect at the time of the person's registration.  Relay teams of 2 people are OK, too - one runner will need to complete two of the three loops for the team to be scored.  All questions or concerns regarding relay team member registration should be sent via email to cherrytree@pptc.org.

COVID-19 Notice

We strongly recommend that all registrants be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.  No proof of vaccination is required at this time.  If government mandates change in the future, we may have to revise our race procedures.  We will be sure to provide you with timely updates if we have to implement changes to the event.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.  

Community Partners

We are building upon the success of last year's fundraising initiative, and offering Cherry Tree runners the opportunity to help PPTC support local non-profits.  With your generous donations, PPTC aims to provide financial support to the Prospect Park Alliance and People In Need, a community-based organization founded and run by immigrant women in Brooklyn.

50% of the fundraising proceeds will benefit the Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that sustains “Brooklyn’s Backyard,” and PPTC's home base, working in partnership with the City of New York. The Alliance was founded in 1987 to help restore Prospect Park after a long period of deterioration and decline. Today, the Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home.  You will witness the fruits of the Alliance's efforts all along the Cherry Tree route!  For more information, please visit the Alliance's website, www.prospectpark.org. 

The remaining 50% of your donations will benefit People In Need, a Brooklyn-based organization co-founded in 2016 by Anurag Shrivastava and Nowshin Ali. Over the past five years, PIN has run an after-school homework program, summer youth programs, women’s workshops, warm clothing distribution events and, back-to-school supplies drives.  Its mission is to support low-income, immigrant families to achieve autonomy as residents of New York City; to empower our community, especially immigrant women, to advocate for their rights and support them as they learn to navigate and adjust to life in a new country, to help immigrant children with homework and personality development through various after-school enrichment programs; and to provide relief and mutual aid to our community during times of crises and emergencies. For more information, visit the People In Need website: www.peopleinneednyc.org

We encourage you to make an additional donation when you register for the race. Even if you are not planning to sign up as a participant, you can still make a financial contribution by donating here.  The Cherry Tree race committee thanks you kindly for your generosity.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are excited to partner with sponsors who value community—especially our Brooklyn running community—as much as we do. Over 1000 runners and volunteers participate in this race, so this is a great way to get your message out to a diverse community.