The Newport Beach Police Department’s Running Team placed first in their category at the Baker to Vegas 120-Mile Challenge Cup Relay. Running teams from 284 law enforcement agencies from around the world competed in the 35th annual relay, which was held last weekend on March 23 and 24. The Newport Beach team has placed first in its category sixteen times in the last 19 years. This year, the team placed 1st in their Division (agencies with 100-150 sworn officers) and 13th overall.
Twenty runners, four alternates, and a team of fifteen support personnel participated in the grueling race - a course that includes climbing over 5,000 feet in elevation, descending through the winding back roads of the Mojave Desert. The non-stop race began 24 miles outside the town of Baker, California, Saturday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. and ended in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday morning shortly after 7:00 a.m. The team completed the event in an impressive 14 hours 40 minutes and 17 seconds.
“This victory is built on teamwork and dedication, and is a source of great pride for everyone in the organization,” said Chief Lewis. “I applaud all of the runners and support crew for their incredible showing this year.”
All participants train on their own time and pay their own way to participate in this event. Sponsors helped support the NBPD Running Team by contributing funds for the entry fee, team running shirts, support vehicles, and other miscellaneous expenditures.
Sponsors of the Running Team include: |
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- Sterling BMW
- Newport Beach Police Association
- Newport Beach Police Management Association
- Valarina Trust
- White Cross Foundation
- Krogius Trust
- Luciano Family
- Temple Batyahm
- Sterling Pacific Meat Company
- Dave and Busters (Irvine and Orange)
- Fun Services
- Karacters 4 Kids
