Members of Congress and their allies, antagonists and observers ran around Washington early Wednesday morning, hoping to come out ahead in the 3-mile ACLI Capital Challenge.

The 32nd annual Capital Challenge started at 8:00 a.m. (a bit early for HOH’s taste) at Anacostia Park. The event, which raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project, is an invitational races for teams that represent the three branches of government, as well as the Fourth Estate. 

The race this year featured seven senators and 24 representatives. Missing for the first time in a while was former Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind., a perennial runner before losing a primary last year.

Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., was the fastest member of Congress, clocking in at 17:55. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, was the fastest senator, coming in at 24:47. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., was the fastest female representative, coming in at 25:13, while Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., was the fastest female senator at 26:44.

In addition to being a sponsor, CQ Roll Call entered several teams: CQ RC News Travels Fast; CQ RC Herd on the Hill; CQ RC NoMads, and the CQ RC Edit Orioles.

Kristin Coyner of News Travels Fast was the fastest female print journalist, with a time of 18:55, and Roll Call alumnus Blake Whitney was the fastest male print journalist with a time of 17:29. Full results can be seen here. 

Hats off to Roll Call alumna Christina Bellantoni — who is now the political editor of the PBS NewsHour and captained the No Commercials, No Mercy team — for bringing along the PBS “HatCam” and forcing someone else to wear it for the race!