Newport Police Take First Place in Baker to Vegas Challenge

History repeated itself over the weekend at the Baker to Vegas 120-Mile Challenge Cup Relay as the Newport Beach Police Department's Running Team placed first for the eighth year in a row, a police official said today.

Approximately 270-law enforcement agencies from around the world had running teams compete in the 28th annual 120-mile race which began Saturday at 5 p.m. and wrapped up Sunday at 8 a.m. Kathy Lowe, police spokeswoman, said the Newport team completed the race in 15 hours and five minutes, which was five minutes faster than last year and earned them first place in the 150 Division and 16th overall.

After the race Chief Jay Johnson told the team he was very proud of the accomplishment.

“Not only did you display your outstanding physical abilities, but more importantly you showed your mental toughness by enduring the 110 degree heat during the day and strong headwinds at night," Johnson said. "This mental toughness translates into your exceptional abilities to handle the physical and mental challenges of your jobs as police officers.”

Twenty runners, five alternates, and a team of approximately 20 support personnel participated in the grueling race which included climbing over 5,000 feet in elevation, descending through the winding back roads of the Mojave Desert and temperatures reaching 110 degrees, thereby making the race extremely challenging. The team has placed first in its category 10 times in the last 12 years.

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