Originally posted May 10, 2023, ahead of that year’s Capital Challenge, we are resharing with some updates for the 2024 race. Legendary ultra runner Camille Herron will be the celebrity athlete this year, and long time leader in our sport, Jeff Darman, continues to be the race director and energetic head of the event. A full lineup of members of Congress, Federal Judges, DC staffers and top media people are expected to participate on May 15.
Enjoy the story of this truly unique race, and the equally unique annual moment when our nation’s leaders put aside their political differences to simply run and support a good cause.
Imagine an annual moment that brings together in harmony Republican and Democrat Senators, Congressional Representatives, Cabinet Members, Federal Judges, Military Officers, Vice Presidents, Presidential candidates, and even prominent members of the media. Imagine the atmosphere is all about fun, laughter, silly puns, celebration, charity…and running!
Sounds a little like something John Lennon would wish for and sing about.
Imagine no more. It is very real, and this May 17th will be the 41st time it happens.
One of our own, Jeff Darman, a long-time volunteer and leader in our sport, is the visionary, the founder, the race director, and the keeper of the vibe that makes this such a remarkable part of the political world.
The Capital Challenge is a 3-mile race that is designed to annually answer the question: which branch of government is the fittest?
At first glance it may seem strange that a road race could bring together people with such diverse political views. But when it comes to the Capital Challenge all that angst seems to fade away, at least for one day a year.
Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush of running alongside your colleagues from both sides of the aisle that brings people together. Maybe it’s the shared sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a challenging race. Maybe it’s a chance for them to take a break from the never-ending cycle of political bickering. Or maybe it’s just a great excuse to get out of their offices and clear out their appointment schedule for a day. Whatever the reason, participants in the Capital Challenge race seem to put aside their political differences and come together in the spirit of friendly competition.
Former Congressman Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee) said, “It’s one of the few things in Congress that is 100% happy.”
Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), the fastest Congressman the past few years, added, “This race is a reminder that we can all work together, even if we don’t always agree.”
A central goal of the race is to raise money for Junior Achievement USA, a non-profit that provides financial education to young people.
I, for one, find it refreshing to know that some of our nation’s leaders can come together, at least for a moment each year, and find common ground through running. Now we just need to figure out how to sustain at least a modicum of this collegiality for the other 364 days of the year!
Photos courtesy of Jeff Darman
Capital Challenge Factoids
FASTEST MEMBER OF CONGRESS ALL-TIME
- Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) at 18:15 in the inaugural race in 1981 (pre-super shoes no less!)
FASTEST IN 2022
- Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona) at 23:03 and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) at 19:46. Gallagher has been the fastest male member of Congress every year since 2018. Both are pictured above.
FASTEST IN 2023
- Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) continued his streak as fastest male member of congress finishing the race in chip time of 19:57. Senator Sinema (I-Arizona) was also a repeat top-finisher at the 2023 event for the congressional women, finishing in 22:10.
CURRENT GOVERNORS WHO RAN BACK IN THEIR CONGRESSIONAL DAYS
- Tim Walz of Minnesota and Jay Inslee of Washington
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES? YES, FOUR OF THEM
- Ketanji Brown Jackson ran in ’18, ’19, and ’23; John Roberts ran in ’84 & ’85; Anthony Kennedy ran in ’90 and Brett Kavanaugh has run 12 times (!) and was the fastest federal judge on five occasions.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS WHO RAN THIS RACE?
- Mike Pence (3 times), Al Gore (10 times), and Dan Quayle (once).
CELEBRITY RUNNERS HAVE INCLUDED JOAN SAMUELSON, MEB KEFLEZIGHI, DEENA KASTOR, AND KEIRA D’AMATO
- Also, Jim Ryun ran several times when he served as a Kansas congressman
- Camille Herron is the celebrity athlete for the 2024 edition
