Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to run in Japanese subway during rush hour? Do you ever crave having the throngs of humanity all around you while you struggle to not fall down and be trampled by their $100 sneakers? Then have I got a race for you! The Cherry Blossom 10 miler is the Runners' Rite of Spring. I live in DC and while the race is very conveniently located, it's also the most crowded race I've ever run.

Registration is like airline ticket pricing: for $40, you can register for the race. T-shirts, medals, and swag cost extra and this keeps costs down so for runners looking for a no frills kind of race it's a good option. At the same time, the crowding means good luck running and try not to trip over anyone at any point in the course because it will never cease being crowded (and FYI, the expo is just as crowded as the race course was).

As my mother said upon seeing the crowds trying to get down to Hains Point where the cherry blossoms are: they're trees, what, has no one ever seen a tree before?