February 14, 2006

Started in 1981, the ACLI Capital Challenge® will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Wednesday, May 3rd. The three-mile road race is one of the Capital’s most enduring sports traditions. Senators and Congressman from both red and blue states 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. The event attracts about 140 teams each year. 

Over the 25-year history the race has played host to a US Vice President, several Presidential candidates, scores of congressional committee chairs, Majority and Minority leaders of the Senate, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Members and many media heavyweights and lightweights (in a fitness sense). Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), who has never missed the race, will be leading a team for the 25th time.

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

Our motto is “no congressman left behind, “ says Race Director Jeff Darman. “As Director of this race, I avoid life in the ‘fast lane’ for the most part, but we do get many physically fit, Washington luminaries who set an excellent example,” said Darman, who conceived of the race in 1981. 

The ACLI Capital Challenge, which benefits the District of Columbia Special Olympics, has as its title sponsor ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers). ACLI is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association. Its nearly 400 member companies offer life insurance, annuities, pensions, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance and other retirement and financial protection products. 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. Major supporting sponsors are ING, Northwestern Mutual, The Principal Financial Group, Swiss Re, Roll Call and Running Times. Qwest Communications has signed on as the sponsor of the post-race breakfast. All entry fees, along with an additional contribution from the sponsors, go to D.C. Special Olympics.

The ACLI Capital Challenge not only recognize the swiftest participants with awards for the fastest Senator, Representative, Independent Agency Head, Sub-Cabinet Appointee, Federal Judge and journalist in male and female categories, but also rewards teams with the Best Name, the Worst Name (James B. Kenin Award) and the Best Spirit. There are also team awards in Senate, House, Executive Branch, Judicial and Media categories (both electronic and print).

Qualified teams may obtain entry forms and information from Jeff Darman, Director ACLI Capital Challenge, 110 East State Street, Suite 15, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610.925.1976. Entries are also available at www.capitalchallenge.com. Entries close April 17th.