May 24, 2019

The Jointed Five, led by Brigadier General D.A. Sims, U.S. Army, rolled over the rest of the large field and 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 Wednesday, May 15 in Washington, DC. The overall race winners were Nick Posada (14:52) and Amanda Barnett (17:49).

Over a dozen Members of Congress were at the starting line. They were joined by Presidential appointees including a Supreme Court Justice and the Solicitor General, plus members of the media and Federal Judges. Their participation showed that at least for a brief period there can be good-natured rivalry in Washington, DC. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh become the second sitting Justice* to run the race and led his team, Running Circuit, to victory in The Judicial Division. He ran a credible 22:17.

Known for its political humor, the race attracts a who's who of Washington VIPs. The fastest member of Congress for the third year in a row was Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who ran 18:37. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) was first female Senator (20:45), smashing the old record by more than 4 minutes. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) was fastest male Senator, and Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY) was fastest female Representative.

Winning the prestigious James B. Kenin Worst Team Name award was "Run Like You Have a Foodborne Illness," led by Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Ken Barbic, edging out AP's "Wire We Running?" captained by White House reporter Darlene Superville and "The Dark Knight Rices," captained by Rep. Kathleen Rice. The Best Named Team honors went to "Fake College Athlete Recruits," from The Chronicle of Higher Ed. Runners up were "Game of Groans," from AARP Magazine and "Bet Chutkan't Catch Us," Judge Tanya Chutkan's team.

A big hit at the race was special guest Deena Kastor, Olympic Bronze Medalist and American Marathon Record holder. Deena served as the official "whistle blower," starting the runners on their way. She then jumped in to run from the back of the pack, slowly moving through the runners and greeting many of the participants.

All entry fees and additional donations from the race sponsors were given to Junior Achievement to help give young people the knowledge and skills they need to make positive choices, plan for their future and achieve economic success.

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 print or web 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? Sponsors in addition to ACLI are AIG, Boston Mutual, Guardian, Hannover Re, Jackson National, John Hancock, MetLife, Nationwide, New York Life, One America, Pacific Life, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica, USAA, UTG, Voya Financial, Western and Southern Financial Group and media sponsor CQ Roll Call.

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