May 28, 2013

Senators Ayotte (R-NH) and Portman (R-OH) along with recently elected Representative Tom Cotton (R-AR) won three of the four congressional individual awards at the ACLI Capital Challenge 3 mile on Wednesday May 15 in Washington, DC’s Anacostia Park. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) prevented a shut out by capturing her first female House victory in 25:13. Senator Ayotte ran 26:44 to retain her title as fastest female Senator, and Senator Rob Portman (24:47) took his first title. Defending champion Senator John Thune (R-SD), an event co-chair sidelined with an injury, attended the race and held the finish tape for overall race winner Patrick Fernandez (14:44) of the US Coast Guard.

Representative Tom Cotton took the title of fastest member of congress with his swift 17:55 and also led his Cotton Tail Rabbits to the House team title. The event featured over 700 runners and raised more than $21,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Ryan Hall, Fastest American ever at the Boston Marathon, was the official starter (whistle-blower) and ran the race at an easy pace, encouraging runners throughout. Teams were led by twenty-seven members of Congress, including many committee chairs. Agency heads, Federal Judges, and scores of print and electronic media also took part in the event.

All teams had to be captained by a U.S. Senator, Representative, Cabinet member or Sub Cabinet Presidential appointee, Federal Judge, On-air media personality or professional journalist.

Assistant SEC Director Amanda Ravitz broke the longtime female sub cabinet record with a time of 21:35. The overall female winner was Rachel Beckmann of the US Coast Guard in 17:59.

Garnering the coveted James B. Kenin Worst Named Team award was Representative Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) Swall’s Well That Ends Well team. Best Named Team was the Census Bureau’s Broken Down by Age and Sex. The winner of the Richard G. Lugar overall fastest team award was the Full Blooded Intensity team from the FBI.

Among the guest runners was blind bronze star medal winner retired SSgt. Michael Malarsie, a wounded warrior, who ran with ACLI President Dirk Kempthorne.

For individual and full results, visit https://www.capitalchallenge.com/2001_cabinet/history2001.html.