WASHINGTON – Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) claimed the titles as the fastest members of Congress at the 40th ACLI Capital Challenge road race in Anacostia Park on Thursday.

More than 400 Washington leaders competed in the race, which benefits Junior Achievement USA and its financial education initiatives for students across the nation. Junior Achievement’s educational programs reach more than 2.5 million students per year in all 50 states.

“It was gratifying to see so many of Washington’s leaders join us for this year’s ACLI Capital Challenge,” said American Council of Life Insurers President and CEO Susan Neely. “ACLI is committed to supporting financial education initiatives that will provide today’s youth with the tools they need to achieve financial security over their lifetime. Thanks to the participants in today’s race, we are able to help Junior Achievement provide more programs to educate students across the nation. Junior Achievement has a proven track record of connecting with young people across the country and making a positive difference in their lives.”

As part of its support for Junior Achievement, ACLI set up Zoom calls this spring for Reps. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.), and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) to discuss the importance of financial education with Junior Achievement students from their home districts.

“Improving financial education is crucial for our nation’s future,” said Jack Kosakowski, President and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “We greatly appreciate ACLI’s efforts to raise awareness of this issue with lawmakers in Washington D.C. Thanks to the ACLI Capital Challenge, Junior Achievement will be able to deliver more financial education programs to young people across the country.”

The race featured members of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and news media organizations. The fastest team was from the Federal Trade Commission, captained by Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and led by overall race winner, Peter Rindfuss.

Solicitor General of the United States Elizabeth Prelogar ran, as did Carol Spahn, CEO of the Peace Corps and Jason Kearns, Chair of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Judges Cornelia Pillard, Sri Srinivasan and Robert Wilkins from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit were among 16 judges competing. In addition, 25 five-person teams from media organizations participated with the fastest being from The Chronicle of Higher Education.

In a video filmed this spring, Rep. Gallagher highlighted the race benefiting Junior Achievement and called out other members of Congress to try and beat him. But no one came close. Gallagher finished in 19:46, more than three minutes faster than any other member. Gallagher has been the fastest member of Congress each of the five years he’s participated in the ACLI Capital Challenge.

Sen. Sinema was the fastest female member of Congress finishing in 23:03. She’s been the fastest female member seven times.

Other members of Congress participating included Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.).

Sen. Sinema’s team was the fastest in the Senate, while Rep. Levin’s team was the fastest in the House.

In addition, American women’s marathon record holder Keira D’Amato served as the official “whistle blower” to start the race. She then joined the race at the back of the pack and ran to support the participants.

A complete list of participants and race results is available at CapitalChallenge.com. Additional information about the race is available at capitalchallenge.acli.com and on Twitter at @ACLINews and via the hashtag #CapChallenge.

Supporting race sponsors included ACLI member companies: AIG, Allianz, Athene, Boston Mutual, Brighthouse Financial, Canada Life Reinsurance, Equitable, Guardian Life Insurance, Hannover Life Reassurance Co of America, Jackson National, John Hancock, MassMutual, MetLife, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Ohio National, OneAmerica, Pacific Life, Primerica, Principal Financial Group, Protective Life, Prudential Insurance, Resolution Life, RGA, Sammons Financial, TIAA, Transamerica, and USAA. Other sponsors included Akin Gump, Invariant and CQ/Roll Call.

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI’s member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers’ financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI’s 280 member companies represent 94 percent of industry assets in the United States.