February 12, 2007

The ACLI Capital Challenge®, the three-mile road race that is one of the Capital’s most enduring sports traditions, will be held Wednesday, May 2. 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. Last year the race attracted 38 members of Congress and 140 teams. 

Over the 26-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 members of the media. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), who has never missed the race, will be leading a team for the 26th time, while members of the media will, in a switch, try to run away from their sources.

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 don’t see much surge potential among the runners, 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 (including 40l(k)’s), 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? Supporting sponsors are ING, MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, The Principal Financial Group, Swiss Re, Roll Call, and Qwest Communications. All entry fees, along with an additional contribution from the sponsors, go to D.C. Special Olympics.

The ACLI Capital Challenge not only recognizes 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 16th.