May 15, 2008

The 27th running of the ACLI Capital Challenge, a three mile race that took place Wednesday, April 30 in Washington, DC’s Anacostia Park, included thirty-four Members of Congress, many Government Agency Heads, Federal Judges and scores of print and electronic media. Over 700 runners on 140 teams participated, including guests like DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and four Ambassadors from foreign countries. All teams had to be captained by a US Senator, Representative, Cabinet member or Sub Cabinet Presidential appointee, Federal Judge, On-air Media personality or professional journalist. Dash Gordon, captained by Representative Bart Gordon, retained its title as the overall fastest team.

The purpose of the ACLI Capital Challenge, which was started in 1981, is to determine who is fittest: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch or the media that covers them, and to raise money for the DC Special Olympics.

Missy Foy, the celebrity guest athlete (first woman with diabetes to run in the US Olympic Marathon Trials), was the “official whistle blower” for the race and started the runners on their way. Senator John Ensign (R-NV) took home top Senator honors (19:34), while Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) repeated as the Senate women’s winner (39:12).

Representative Bart Gordon, age 59 (D-TN), remains the fastest man in Congress, notching his 19th victory (Mike Synar Award) with his 18:40 time. Representative Jean Schmidt (R-OH) captured her second title as women’s Congressional winner, finishing in 22:50. Representative Jim Marshall (D-GA) set a new men’s 60-69 age group record of 20:32, breaking the old record by more than a minute.

Overall winners were Brandon Cherry (15:42) of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Dash Gordon’s Laura Turner (17:15), who successfully defended her title. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) continued his streak by finishing his 27th straight Challenge.

Other new records were set by Amy Held of WTOP radio (19:55) as fastest female electronic journalist and Courtenay Mullen (28:02) from Kiplinger, who broke the women’s 60-69 captain age group record.

The ACLI Capital Challenge highlights the ability of many of the nation’s busiest leaders to stay fit. All entry fees go to DC Special Olympics. The title sponsor, ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers), and contributing sponsors — ING, MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, The Principal Financial Group, Swiss Re, Qwest Communications and Roll Call — also donated additional funds to DC Special Olympics, as well as paying all race expenses.