March 5, 2020

The annual ACLI Capital Challenge�, the three-mile road race that is one of the Capital's most enduring sports traditions, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, at 8:00 A.M. As usual, a HUGE 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.

"ACLI is very excited to sponsor the Capital Challenge," said Susan Neeley, President and CEO of ACLI. "We're committed to the race supporting Junior Achievement and its financial literacy program for all the good work it does for young people. Researchers at the Wharton School found that more than one-third of financial inequality in the United States could be accounted for by differences in financial literacy. Through our support of Junior Achievement, we will help the next generation of American workers learn more about the importance of planning early for retirement."

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) advocates on behalf of 280 member companies dedicated to providing products and services that promote consumers' financial and retirement security. ACLI members serve 90 million American families, helping them to build a financial safety net that protects them through all stages of life. Helping people take care of the things that matter most is the most critical mission of ACLI's members.

"The race promotes fitness and bi-partisanship (not a hoax) 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.

In addition to being a Kenyan policewoman, Edna Kiplagat is a two-time world marathon champion, three-time Abbott World Marathon Majors Series Champion, and winner of the Boston, New York, London and Los Angeles Marathons, with a personal best of 2:19:50. She will serve as official "whistle blower" to start the runners on their way, 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 Akin Gump, Boston Mutual, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, Jackson National, John Hancock, Nationwide, New York Life, OneAmerica, Pacific Life, Principal Financial Group, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica, USAA, Western and Southern 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).

A new addition to the race website (www.capitalchallenge.com) this year is a searchable results database, which contains all race results from 1981.

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 23.