HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Honorary Co-Chair
Senator John Thune
Honorary Co-Chair
Representative Earl Blumenauer
Honorary Co-Chair
Judge Kathleen Kerrigan
Honorary Co-Chair
Bill Plante, CBS News
Honorary Co-Chair

Contact: Jeff Darman
610.925.1976
[email protected]
https://www.capitalchallenge.com

Fast Track Guaranteed When Congress Lines up with Media and Executive Branch as Judges Look On

April 22, 2015

The ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile road race returns to Washington, D.C.'s Anacostia Park on Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00 a.m. The event attracts scores of members of Congress, high-ranking political appointees, Generals, Admirals, television correspondents, print and web reporters, Federal Judges and other Washington VIPs who will compete on over 140 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.

The ACLI Capital Challenge benefits the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. All entry fees and additional donations from the race sponsors will be used to provide a life-changing Fidelco Guide Dog and services to a blinded veteran or immediate family member to support increased independence, mobility and safety.

The race's title sponsor is the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 300 member companies operating in the United States and abroad. ACLI advocates in federal, state, and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the 75 million American families that rely on life insurers' products for financial and retirement security. ACLI members offer life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance, representing more than 90 percent of industry assets and premiums.

Dathan Ritzenhein, 3-time Olympian, 3-time National Cross Country Champion, Bronze medalist at World Half Marathon and former American record holder at 5000 meters is the 2015 Celebrity runner (courtesy of John Hancock). Ritzenhein recently won the Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon (Tampa, FL) and was first American and seventh at the Boston Marathon. Dathan will serve as the official "whistle blower" and start the runners on their way. He will then jump in and run from the back of the pack.

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

TEAMS

CAPTAINS

Wild and Run-Der-Ful

Senator Shelley Capito (R-WV)

Cartwright Before the Horse

Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA)

Don’t Count Us Out

Enrique Lamas, Associate Director (Census Bureau)

Known Unknowns

Andrew Gilmour, Director; Corporate Resources (CIA)

eMail eRacers

James Wiggins, Director; Latin America (State Department)

House of Chrons

Sara Hebel (Chronicle of Higher Education)

The Fast and the Curious

Jon Hamilton (NPR)

Sri’s Company

Judge Sri Srinivasan (US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit)

Failure to Exhaust

Judge Cornelia Pillard (US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit)

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

Entries close May 1


MEDIA SPONSOR
   

Note: Please do not Reply to this email; this address is not monitored. Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].