The annual ACLI Capital Challenge returns on Wednesday, April 30 at 8:00 a.m. in Washington, DC's Anacostia Park and among the participants will be many superdelegates. Will they exercise their right to lead or follow?

Perhaps better known for its irreverence and political humor than its athletic prowess, the three-mile race is attracting the usual VIP cast. Last year, the event attracted 35 members of Congress along with scores of high-ranking political appointees, television correspondents, print reporters, Federal Judges and other Washington VIP's on more than 140 teams.

Teams are captained by U.S. Senators, Representatives, Cabinet Members, Sub-Cabinet appointees, Federal Judges, On-Air personalities, and professional print journalists. Each CAPTAIN must finish for their team to count. This invitational team competition started in 1981 and continues to spotlight the fitness of many of the country's busiest leaders. Senator Richard Lugar has never missed finishing the race and will be leading his team for the 27th time. Four Ambassadors from the European Union will be among the VIP guest runners, as well as DC Mayor Adrian Fenty. The race is sponsored by ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers), a Washington, DC-based trade association. ACLI member companies are the leading providers of financial and retirement security products covering individual and group markets. They provide life, long-term care and disability income insurance, annuities, pensions such as 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, IRAs and reinsurance.

The ACLI Capital Challenge annually settles the question of what branch of the federal government is the fittest. Or will the media end up on top? All entry fees as well as an additional donation from the sponsors go to D.C. Special Olympics.

Special Attraction

On hand for this year's race will be 2008 celebrity runner Missy Foy, recently profiled in Parade Magazine. In 2000 she became the first diabetic athlete in history to qualify for the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. Missy, having competed successfully in major road races and marathons, has now moved up to ultramarathons. In 2005, she ran the difficult Umstead 50 Mile Ultramarathon in 7:15:06 to break the course record by twenty minutes, garnered a top 10 world ranking for 50 miles for the year, and clinched a #1 world ranking for a 50 mile trail race. Missy is currently completing her PhD and is an active advocate for children with diabetes and for women's health and fitness initiatives.

The race motto continues to be "no congressman left behind," said Race Director Jeff Darman. "On April 30 we will see who is still in their prime and who is subprime," he added. Spirited competition is already being waged in the battle for Best and Worst Named Team awards. According to senior race officials, some early contenders and captains include:

TEAMS 	                   CAPTAINS 
Demint Condition  	    Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) 
Starsky and Hutchison  	    Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) 
The LiSPRINTski's 	    Representative Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) 
The Sundance Kids 	    Representative Jim Matheson (D-UT) 
Crude Regulators 	    Walter Lukken, Chair (CFTC) 
Nerds Sweating Furiously    Kathie Olsen (Dep Dir, National Science Foundation) 
Fast Times at Market Highs  Robert Colby, Dep Dir, Market Regulation SEC)  
Ivy Laggers 	            Sara Lipka (Chronicle of Higher Education) 
Veni, Vedi, Video  	    Bill Plante (CBS News) 
Article III Milers  	    Judge William Bryson (US Court of Appeals) 

The riverfront course is out and back in Anacostia Park (just over the Sousa Bridge - Pennsylvania Avenue). After the race, runners will enjoy a catered continental breakfast with pure spring water compliments of Qwest Communications. Sponsors in addition to ACLI and Qwest Communications include ING, MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, The Principal Financial Group, Swiss Re, and Roll Call.

Qualified teams may obtain information from Jeff Darman, Director, ACLI Capital Challenge, 110 East State Street, Suite 15, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, 610-925-1976 or from www.capitalchallenge.com.

Entries closed April 14.