WASHINGTON DC – Koko Brothers provided FBT MITUS 206 line array cabinets, 118QSA subwoofers and CS1000 column systems for the staging area and finish line at the 52nd Annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 mile run on April 6. The popular race, which now also includes a 5K run, raised more than $460,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
More details from FBT (www.fbt.it):
Each year in early spring, cherry blossoms bloom across Washington, D.C., covering the city in soft pink petals. The trees were first planted in 1912 as a gift from Japan, symbolizing friendship between the two nations. In 1935, they became the centerpiece of the National Cherry Blossom Festival—a month-long celebration filled with events, visitors, and local pride. One of the standout events that has become a traditional part of the festival is the Credit Union Cherry Blossom race series, which brings thousands of runners into the heart of the city to take part in one of the season’s most scenic races.
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom races, dubbed “The Runner’s Rite of Spring,” began in 1973 with a single 10-mile race that offered participants a unique opportunity to race through the capital while surrounded by iconic cherry trees in peak bloom. For the race’s 50th anniversary in 1973, organizers added a 5K event to make the experience more accessible for runners of all levels—and it’s already earning national recognition. In 2025, the 5K was voted #1 Best 5K in America by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards, after placing #3 in 2024 and #1 in 2023.
This year’s race brought more than 7,000 runners to Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue. With such a large crowd spread across multiple city blocks, delivering high-quality sound for opening remarks, announcements, and finish-line commentary was no small task. Koko Brothers was proud to provide full sound reinforcement for the event, covering both the staging area and the finish line with a powerful and portable FBT system.
To cover the full scope of the event, the Koko Brothers team deployed a combination of 12 FBT MITUS 206 line array cabinets, 4 118QSA subwoofers, and 4 CS1000 column systems across both the staging area and the finish line. After the race kicked off, some of the gear was relocated to the finish line two blocks away to support the national anthem and live race commentary. From pre-race announcements to the final stretch, the team ensured clear, consistent sound throughout the entire experience.
Even with the open layout and city noise, the system delivered far beyond expectations. One of the Koko Brothers team members remarked on the FBT speakers’ high-frequency clarity. “I didn’t expect it to throw that far, and I was honestly blown away.” From the first mic check to the final finisher, FBT gear helped ensure every word was heard—and every moment felt.
