CONTACT: Sgt. Belinda Joseph 
           (424) 646-5591

AIRPORT POLICE PLACES IN BAKER-TO-VEGAS CHALLENGE CUP RELAY

(Los Angeles, California – March 31, 2015) Los Angeles Airport Police participated in the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay beginning in Baker, California, and finishing in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 28 and 29, 2015. The relay is a 120-mile, 20-stage foot race that attracts law enforcement officers from around the world. The annual event, begun in 1985 with 19 teams, was created to encourage police officers to improve their physical fitness. Now departments from across the country, as well as international teams from Canada, Wales and Australia participate. 

For the fourth consecutive year in a row Airport Police won the ceremonial mug, finishing near the top of the “Invitational” category with a team consisting of five women and fifteen men. Nearly 25 Airport Police personnel also attended on their own time to support the team. Airport Police placed 10th in the “Invitational” and 59th out of a total of 278 teams, with a finishing time of 16 hours, 16 minutes and 22 seconds, and incurred no penalties or injuries. 

Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said, “I am proud of the commitment and determination made by all the men and women who participated in this year’s competition. For the 4th year in a row, Airport Police Officers have brought home a mug. The hard work and dedication of Co-captains K-9 Officers Alfonso Lagos and Jerome Evans made this event successful."

Support Team and Runners

Top Row:– Michael Ahumada, Jesse Padilla, Lupe Nestlehutt, Daniel Gardea, Monica Tucker, Andrei Soto, Mario Patrick, Harold Evans, Lizette Andrade
Bottom Row: Rogelio Cuevas, Patricia Valles, Dana Tipton, Stephanie Smith, Andraya Humphrey, Kimberly Ojeda, Alfonso Lagos (Team Co-Captain), Jerome Evans (Team Co-Captain) and Madeleine Flanagan

Photographs Courtesy of Charles Yoon and Madeleine Flanagan
# # # # #