April 23, 2013

The ACLI Capital Challenge three mile road race returns to Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia Park on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:00 a.m. All participants have agreed this is one line they will cross at the event, which attracts scores of members of Congress, high-ranking political appointees, television correspondents, print reporters, Federal Judges and other Washington VIPs who will compete on an estimated 130 teams.

Known for its irreverence and political humor, the race is drawing the usual VIP cast. Teams are captained by U.S. Senators, Representatives, Cabinet Members, Sub-Cabinet appointees, Federal Judges, On-Air personalities and professional print and web journalists. Each CAPTAIN must finish for his or her team to score. The race, which started in 1981, spotlights the fitness of many of the country’s busiest leaders, including many Senate and House Committee Chairs and ranking members, print journalists, TV correspondents, Generals and Admirals, and many others.

The ACLI Capital Challenge, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project®, 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.

Official whistleblower Ryan Hall will start the runners on their way. Ryan, who has the fastest marathon time by an American (2:04:58 at Boston) and is also the American Half Marathon record holder (59:43), and first U.S. runner to break one hour, is the 2013 celebrity runner (courtesy of John Hancock).

The ACLI Capital Challenge annually settles the question of which branch of the federal Government is the fittest. Or will the media end up on top? All entry fees as well as an additional donation from the sponsors goes to the Wounded Warrior Project. The race has raised over $500,000 for charity since its inception.

As usual there is spirited competition for the best and worst team name (James B. Kenin Award) honors. Some early contenders include:

TEAMS	CAPTAINS
The Flying Unicornyns	Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Hoosier Mama Express	Representative Susan Brooks (R-IN)
Broken Down by Age and Sex	Howard Hogan (Chief Demographer, Census Bureau)
Running Stimulates The Census	Doug Clift (Census Bureau)
Running From Accusations	Joseph Guzowski (Principal Director to the Inspector General, Department of the Army)
Chronival Cruises: Disaster Waiting To Happen	Sara Hebel (Chronicle of Higher Education)
Slow Posts	Paul Farhi (Washington Post)
Don’t Judge Us	Judge Vanessa Ruiz (DC Court of Appeals)
Ground Attax	Judge Kathleen Kerrigan (US Tax Court)
Race the Nation	Margaret Mary Brennan (CBS News)

The riverfront course is out and back in Anacostia Park. After the race, runners will enjoy a catered continental breakfast (TARP, Tired Athletes Refreshments Program) and pure spring water compliments of MetLife. Sponsors in addition to ACLI are Guardian, ING, John Hancock, MassMutual, MetLife, Nationwide, New York Life, Transamerica, Prudential, RGA, USAA, Western and Southern Financial Group and CQ Roll Call.

Entries Close May 1