Washington, D.C., (May 8, 2015) —The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) proudly presents the 34th Annual ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile road race. The event begins at 8:00 AM on May 20 in Anacostia Park. This premier Washington, D.C. race features five-person running teams from news media organizations, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and the U.S. military.

The Capital Challenge will benefit the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, an organization whose mission includes providing life-changing guide dogs to blind veterans.

“ACLI is proud to once again sponsor the Capital Challenge to benefit a worthy cause,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne. “On May 20, members of Congress, administration officials, federal judges, journalists and the military will unite to support the inspirational work of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. This is one of the most popular events in the nation’s capital and is not to be missed.”

Supporting sponsors include ACLI member companies: Guardian, Hannover Life Re, John Hancock, MassMutual, MetLife, Nationwide, New York Life, OneAmerica, Prudential, RGA, Transamerica, USAA, Voya and Western & Southern. CQ Roll Call also is a supporting sponsor.

This year’s celebrity runner, courtesy of John Hancock, is Dathan Ritzenhein. Ritzenhein is a three-time Olympian, three-time national cross country champion, bronze medalist at the World Half Marathon and former American record holder at 5,000 meters. He recently won the Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon in Tampa, FL and was the first American and seventh overall at this year’s Boston Marathon. Ritzenhein will serve as the official "whistle blower" to start the Capital Challenge. He will join the race from the back of the pack.

Visit www.CapitalChallenge.com for more information. For real-time pictures and updates on the day of the race, follow @ACLINews on Twitter.