May 24, 2017

The US Coast Guard won the coveted Richard G. Lugar Award as the fastest overall team at the The US Coast Guard won the coveted Richard G. Lugar Award as the fastest overall team at the ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers) Capital Challenge three-mile race on Wednesday, May 17 in Washington, DC.

A dozen and a half members of Congress were at the starting line, joined by Presidential appointees, members of the media and Federal Judges to show that at, least for a brief period, there can be good-natured rivalry in Washington, DC.

Known for its political humor, the race attracts a who's who of Washington VIPs. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) repeated as first Senator (18:44) but was dethroned as fastest member of Congress by Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who bested him by 8 seconds (18:36). Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) was first female Senator (27:44), and Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY) was first woman on the House side (24:11).

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was the wheelchair winner in (11:53). She is a Purple Heart recipient and was among the first women to fly combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The overall race winner was Paul Balmer (15:03), a member of Representative Earl Blumenauer's (D-OR) staff. The female winner was Erin Taylor (17:39) of GSA.

Winning the prestigious James B. Kenin Worst Team Name award was "Desperation is a Stinky Cologne" led by NPR's Sam Sanders. The Best Named Team was "Standby for Breaking Shews," captained by WUSA9 Anchor Adam Longo.

2016 Olympic Marathon Bronze medalist Galen Rupp was the 2017 celebrity runner (courtesy of John Hancock). A multiple American record holder and second place finisher at the 2017 Boston Marathon, Galen served as the official "whistle blower," starting the runners on their way, and then he jumped in and ran from the back of the pack.

The event raised enough funds for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation to provide another life-changing guide dog and services to a blinded veteran.

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 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 were Guardian; Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America; John Hancock; Metlife; Nationwide; New York Life; One America Financial Partners, Inc.; Prudential; Transamerica; USAA; Western & Southern Financial Group and media sponsor CQ/Roll Call.

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

Note: Photos are available for viewing at https://capitalchallenge.smugmug.com/2017-ACLI-Capital-Challenge/. Contact Jeff Darman at [email protected] to request digital copies.