Credit Union Cherry Blossom Honors Hall of Fame Class of 2025 and Les Kinion Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Recipient

Anna Berdahl and Bill Rodgers Inducted into Hall of Fame; Kari Keaton announced as recipient of the 2025 Les Kinion Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

April 5, 2025, Washington, DC: Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom (CUCB) announced the much-anticipated winner of this year’s Les Kinion Outstanding Volunteer Service Award as well as the newest inductees into the CUCB Hall of Fame at the pre-race dinner for elite athletes, race committee members, Credit Union Miracle Day partners and special guests.

The newest members of the CUCB Hall of Fame are Anna Berdahl and Bill Rodgers. Berdahl, the Hall of Fame’s first woman inductee, began serving on the Cherry Blossom committee in 1981 as part of the lottery team. Back then participants applied on paper via the mail, requiring Berdahl to review each participant’s application one at a time, select those who were accepted and return the payments for those who were not. This laborious undertaking gained her the affectionate nickname of “Lottery Lady.” Once the lottery process became computerized and automated, Berdahl transitioned into managing the Seeded Runner Program in 1990 and then to supervising event shirt orders from 1991 to 1995. In 1996, Berdahl played an instrumental role in the creation of the Kids Run and would serve as the Kids Run Director for almost 20 years, 1996 to 2014. Her dedication and passion for children’s fitness and personal well-being allowed the event to flourish into its annual field of 500 plus participants. After relinquishing her role with the Kids Run, Berdahl assisted with the facilitation of the 5K runs in 2015 and 2016 before moving out of the Washington, DC area to be closer to family. However, her passion for the event still brought her back to volunteer over the next few years, leading to 37 years of significant contributions to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom event weekend.

Berdahl is accompanied by Bill Rodgers as the Class of 2025. Rodgers, a former elite runner and U.S. Olympian, is the only four-time winner of the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, earning consecutive titles between 1978 and 1981. Twenty years later, he set the men’s 45 to 49 age group record. Rodgers would go on to participate in the CUCB 21 times during his illustrious career, winning his age group seven times. His four Cherry Blossom titles are matched by four wins at the Boston Marathon (1975,1978 – 1980) and four straight wins of the New York City Marathon (1976 – 1979). His avid participation in the CUCB helped solidify the event’s importance as one of the elite road races in the U.S.

The inaugural class of CUCB Hall of Fame was introduced as part of the 50^th Anniversary celebrations in 2023.This year’s class will join these former inductees:

• Gar Williams, Class of 2023, co-founder of the Cherry Blossom Run
• Jeff Darman, Class of 2023, former Race Director
• Irv Newman, Class of 2023, former Cherry Blossom President
• Bill Brooks, Class of 2024, a long-time Credit Union Miracle Day Board Member
• Ed Murray, Class of 2024, race co-director from 1974-1982
• Phil Stewart, Class of 2024, Event Director from 1988 to present

The evening’s agenda also included the announcement of the Les Kinion Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, which has been awarded since 2015. This year’s recipient is Kari Keaton, Co-Director of the Kids Run and event emcee. Serving as the race announcer at both the Expo and race site, Keaton influences a runner’s experience by effectively communicating necessary information and providing motivation. Additionally, in her role with the Kids Run, Keaton oversaw the relocation of the Kids Run from the National Building Museum to Freedom Plaza as well as a growth in participation. Her vast experience as a CUCB volunteer has been crucial in providing insight to policy as a member of the Cherry Blossom Inc., Board of Directors. Keaton’s extensive and direct impact has contributed to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom’s growth and success.

The Les Kinion Award was established in honor of Les Kinion, a Baltimore firefighter with Engine Company 43. By passion, he was first a runner and then a running club officer and race director. In 1970, Les co-founded the Baltimore Road Runners Club, one of the earliest chapters of the Road Runners Club of America. In 1973, he helped launch the first Maryland Marathon. After retiring in 1986, Les moved to Bishopville, MD, and worked on hundreds of races on the Maryland-Delaware Coast. He became involved with the Cherry Blossom Run in the early 1990s, coordinating the event’s shirt operation and was active until he passed away in July 2014 at the age of 78. 

Past recipients of the Les Kinion Award include:

•  2015            Irv Newman, President/Deputy Race Director
• 2016            George Tarrico, Logistics Coordinator
•  2017           Michelle Carter, Volunteer Coordinator
• 2018            Jean Arthur, Waterstops Coordinator
• 2019            Glenn Klenk, Signage Coordinator
• 2020            Nita Roncone, Volunteer Coordinator
•  2021            Marsha Way, Volunteer Management Coordinator
• 2022            Danny Talmage, Storage Shed Coordinator
• 2023 (joint)  Steve Broyles, Security Coordinator
• 2023 (joint)  Rob Wolfe, Treasurer/Corrals Coordinator
•  2024            Charlie Harr, Washington Memorial Grounds Coordinator

Event Director Phil Stewart had this to say about the new Hall of Fame inductees and this year’s Les Kinion Award winner: “Whether it is the World’s Best runner of his era, helping to put the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile on the map, with more wins than anyone else, or a committee member dedicating significant hours over many years, most of them without the aid of a computer, our two Hall of Fame inductees were essential in the evolution of the event. And few have worked harder over the years than Kari Keaton, an outstanding selection to receive the Les Kinion award. It is an honor to celebrate them and their achievements.”

Press releases about each year’s Hall of Fame inductees and Les Kinion award recipients can be found in the archives.

Thanks to Credit Union Miracle Day’s title sponsorship since 2002, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run has raised over $11.5 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including $550,000 in 2024.