May 15, 2014

Over 30 members of Congress will lead teams in the annual ACLI Capital Challenge®, a three-mile road race. They join participants from all branches of government and the media and have been cautioned to run sensibly to avoid increasing the national oxygen debt ceiling. The race takes place on Wednesday, May 21, at 8:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia Park.

In the race will be several congressional committee chairs, agency heads, Admirals, Generals, dozens of on-air correspondents, federal Judges, and print journalists.

The current defending champion and fastest female Senator, Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), will return, as will Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). The fastest man in Congress, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-AR), is back, and several female members of Congress will seek to dethrone the fastest female representative Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

On hand as official whistle blower (courtesy of John Hancock) will be Shalane Flanagan. A month ago, she boldly set the pace for over 17 miles at the Boston Marathon in a valiant effort to win her hometown race. She wound up with the fastest American time ever run on the course, 2:22:02. Shalane has been the dominant American female distance runner over the last several years. She owns an Olympic bronze medal from the 10,000 meters in the 2008 Olympics and is the current American record holder at 10,000 meters (30:22:22).

Team captains in this event are not honorary positions. Each must finish the three-mile course for their team to score. This event shows that even the busiest people can take time out to stay physically fit. The ACLI Capital Challenge benefits the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. All entry fees and additional donations from the race sponsors, totaling $45,000, will be used to provide a life-changing Fidelco Guide Dog and services to a blinded veteran or immediate family member.

Supporting sponsors are Allianz, Guardian, Hannover Life Reassurance Company, ING, John Hancock, MassMutual, MetLife, Nationwide, New York Life, OneAmerica, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica Corporation, USAA, Western & Southern Financial Group and Roll Call.

Competition for the prestigious best and James B. Kenin worst team name honors remains intense.

Some Noteworthy Entrants:

The riverfront course is out and back in Anacostia Park. After the race, runners will enjoy a catered breakfast (TARP, Tired Athletes Refreshment Program) and pure spring water compliments of MetLife.

Click Here for the VIP & Captain's List

Editors Note:For media information, call Jeff Darman at 610.925.1976 (until May 16), 571.384.7906 (May 17-21) or 610.299.4436 (cell). The ACLI Capital Challenge starts at 8:00 a.m. in Anacostia Park near the skating rink. Directions to the site may be downloaded from www.capitalchallenge.com. Entries are closed.