May 6, 2010

The 29th running of the ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile road race took place Wednesday, April 28 in Washington, DC in East Potomac Park. Among the over 650 participants leading teams were dozens of Members of Congress, including many committee chairs; Government Agency Heads; Federal Judges; and scores of print and electronic media.    

All teams had to be captained by a US Senator, Representative, Cabinet member or Sub Cabinet Presidential appointee, Federal Judge, On-air Media personality or professional journalist.  The FBI (Fun Bunch of Investigative Runners) led by Assistant Director Michael Kortan, took fastest team honors.

Other new champions emerged, as Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL) (19:34) was first member of the House (Mike Synar Award) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) garnered her first female Senator Award (25:44), breaking the longtime record held by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

 John Thune (R-SD) (19:19) repeated as the male Senator winner and also garnered the title of fastest member of Congress.  Representative Jean Schmidt (R-OH) defended her female Representative title in a time of 23:40.  

Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth was the first wheelchair captain in a time of 16:02.  The highly decorated Iraq war veteran competed for the first time.  Deanna Okun, US International Trade Commissioner, broke her female sub-cabinet record with a time of 22:29.

The purpose of the ACLI Capital Challenge, which was started in 1981, is to determine who is fittest:  the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch or the media that covers them, and to raise money for the Special Olympics, DC branch.

Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer for Runner’s World, was the celebrity guest athlete and the official “whistle blower” and started the runners on their way.   Meb Keflezighi, New York Marathon winner, was in town and having been the celebrity athlete in 2009, decided to drop in on the festivities.   He held the finish tape along with former Oklahoma Governor and ACLI President Frank Keating.

Overall winners were Cabel Rosanelli (14:48) from the U.S. Army and Becky Beachy of the FBI.  Indiana Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) continued his streak by finishing his 29th straight Challenge.  

The ACLI Capital Challenge highlights the ability of many of the nation’s busiest leaders to stay fit.  All entry fees go to Special Olympics, DC.  The title sponsor, ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers), and contributing sponsors—AEGON USA, ING, John Hancock, MetLife, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Prudential, RGA,  Swiss Re, Western and Southern Financial Group, Roll Call and Winstead Attorneys—also donated additional funds to DC Special Olympics, as well as paying all race expenses.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  We can email appropriate pictures at your request. 

Click Here for link to individual and team awards.