The ACLI Capital Challenge®, the three-mile road race that is one of the Capital’s most enduring sports traditions, is set for Wednesday, May 16 at 8:00 A.M. As usual, a Super PAC of dozens of Senators and Congressmen are expected to take part in the traditional invitational team battle between the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches and the Media in Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia Park.

Started in 1981, the race has played host to two U.S. Vice Presidents, several Presidential candidates, scores of congressional committee chairs, Majority and Minority leaders of the Senate, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Members and many members of the media. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), who has never missed the race, will be leading a team for the 31st time.

Competition is limited to teams led by Senators, Representatives, Cabinet or Sub-Cabinet appointees, Agency Heads, Federal Judges, or TV, radio and print journalists. (Team captains must actually complete the course for their team to count.)

“One of our goals is to promote healthy living inside the Beltway,” said Race Director Jeff Darman. “We get many physically fit Washington luminaries who set an excellent example. We are a model for bi-partisanship as teams from both parties compete while displaying good humor,” added Darman, who created the race in 1981.

The ACLI Capital Challenge, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project^TM, an organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, has as its title sponsor ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers). ACLI is a Washington, D.C. based trade association. ACLI’s 300-plus member companies offer life insurance; annuities; pensions, including 401(k)’s; long-term care insurance; disability income insurance; reinsurance; and other retirement and financial protection products.

On hand to encourage the runners will be 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials Champion Meb Keflezighi. Meb, a 2004 silver medalist, will be leading the US Men’s Marathon team in London.

The event is designed to highlight the fitness of many of the Capital’s busiest leaders and tries to answer the question: which branch of government is the fittest? Supporting sponsors are ING, John Hancock, MassMutual, MetLife, New York Life, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica Corporation, Western & Southern Financial Group and Roll Call. All entry fees, along with an additional contribution from the sponsors, will go to the Wounded Warriors Project.

The ACLI Capital Challenge not only recognizes the swiftest participants with awards for the fastest Senator, Representative (Mike Synar Award), Independent Agency Head, Sub-Cabinet Appointee, Federal Judge and journalist in male and female categories, but also rewards teams with the Best Name, the Worst Name (James B. Kenin Award) and the Best Spirit. There are also team awards in Senate, House, Executive Branch, Judicial and Media (both electronic and print) categories.