Photo left: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, fastest woman in the Senate.

The 22nd annual SGMA Capital Challenge, perhaps better known for its irreverence and political humor than its athletic prowess, will return on Wednesday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C.'s Anacostia Park. The race will again be held on the Anacostia Park Riverfront course and is attracting the usual VIP cast from "The Hill." In last year's SGMA Capital Challenge, two dozen members of the U.S. Congress captained teams and also completed the race, along with scores of political appointees, including two Cabinet members, television correspondents, print reporters, and other Washington VIPs. Teams are captained by U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Cabinet Members, Sub- Cabinet appointees, Federal Judges, On-Air personalities, and professional print journalists. Each captain must finish the race for their team to count in the standings.

This invitational team competition started in 1981. It continues to focus on the commitment to physical fitness by many of the country's high profile individuals inside the Beltway. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Richard Lugar (R-IN) has never missed running in this race and is scheduled to head a team this year (for the 22nd time).

Sponsored by SGMA International, the race annually settles the question of which branch of the federal government is the fittest. Or - will the media end up on top this year? Spirited competition is also being waged in the battle for awards for Best and Worst Named Teams. Some early contenders and captains include:

TEAMS -- CAPTAINS
** Running Dry -- Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
**FMCS is Hurt-A-Gen -- Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director Peter Hurtgen
** Make Census of it All -- Bureau of Census Associate Director Marvin Raines
** Finders of Bad Individuals -- FBI Assistant Director Bob Jordan
** The Rogue Fonts -- Bonnie Berkowitz (Washington Post)
** The Bumping Heds -- Jon DeNunzio (Washington Post)
** CHE - TAHS -- Karla Haworth (Chronicle of Higher Education)
** What you C is no BS -- Bill Plante (CBS News)

The riverfront layout features an out-and-back course in Anacostia Park (just over the Souza Bridge off Pennsylvania Avenue). After the race, runners will have a catered continental breakfast, which will include Stonyfield Farm products. In addition to SGMA International, other sponsors include FannieMae, Chubb, McDonald Bradley, Stonyfield Farm Yogurt, Roll Call and Running Times.

Qualified teams may obtain information from Jeff Darman, Director, SGMA Capital Challenge, 110 East State Street, Suite 15, Kennett Square, PA, 19348. (610-925-1976; from the race Web site; or via E-mail. Entries for the SGMA Capital Challenge close Monday, April 21.

SGMA International, owner of The Super Show, is the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA International fosters industry growth and advances members' interests through market research, communications, public policy, sports promotion, and international business development programs.