March 7, 2019

The annual ACLI Capital Challenge®, the three-mile road race that is one of the Capital's most enduring and HUGE sports traditions, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at 8:00 A.M. A PAC of Senators and Congressmen will 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.

Since its inception in 1981, the race has played host to three 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.

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

All entry fees, along with an additional contribution from the sponsors, will be given to Junior Achievement to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to make positive choices, plan for their future, and achieve economic success. Junior Achievement programs provide relevant hands-on experiences that give students of all ages knowledge and skills related to financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.

"We're very excited that this year's race will benefit Junior Achievement. ACLI strongly supports Junior Achievement's mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in today's global economy. Through our partnership with Junior Achievement, we will help teach the next generation of American workers the benefit of planning early for retirement," said Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers.

The race's title sponsor is the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), which advocates on behalf of 280 member companies dedicated to providing products and services that promote consumers' financial and retirement security. 90 million American families depend on our members for life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, dental and vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI represents member companies in state, federal and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the families that rely on life insurers' products for peace of mind. ACLI members represent 95 percent of industry assets in the United States.

"The race promotes fitness and bi-partisanship (at least for one morning) in the shadow of the Capitol, as many physically fit Washington luminaries set an excellent example on race day year after year," said Director Jeff Darman.

Deena Kastor, Olympic Bronze Medalist, American Marathon Record Holder (2:19:36), eight-time NCAA All-American and Silver Medalist at the World Cross Country Championships will serve as official "whistle blower" and start the runners on their way. She will then jump in and run from the back of the pack.

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 the government is the fittest? Supporting sponsors are AIG, Boston Mutual, Guardian, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, Jackson National, John Hancock, MetLife, Nationwide, New York Life, OneAmerica, Pacific Life, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica, UTG, Western & Southern Financial Group, and media sponsor CQ Roll Call.

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 and the Worst Name (James B. Kenin Award). There are also team awards for the Senate, House, Executive Branch, Judicial and Media (both Electronic and print/web categories).

Qualified teams may obtain entry forms and information from Jeff Darman, Director ACLI Capital Challenge, 110 E. State Street, Ste 15, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610.925.1976. Entries are also available at www.capitalchallenge.com. Entries close April 25.