Physical fitness is at a premium among law enforcement officers. This April, with your help, two Long Beach Police Department relay teams will put their conditioning to a tough test, competing with law enforcement agencies from all over the world at the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay (B2V).
The 120-mile footrace through the desert and mountain passes of southeast California and southern Nevada began in 1985 as a friendly grudge match between the Los Angeles Police Department and The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The race presents the scores of participating 20-person teams with extreme temperature changes and difficult terrain.
Last year, the LBPD finished a solid 24th out of 289 teams. This year, with two teams in the hunt, the LBPD hopes to improve its ranking. The LBPD squads will face stiff competition, such as the Belize National Police team, which won last year’s race by narrowly beating teams from the LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriffs.
“This is a great annual event that continues to challenge officers to remain physically fit as well as represent our outstanding city and police department,” said LBPD Commander Jeffrey Berkenkamp, who also serves as President of the LBPD B2V Committee. “Since the officers and volunteers prepare and participate on their own time and expense,” Berkenkamp added, “the support of our community is extremely motivating and beneficial to our teams.”
The LBPD B2V relay teams would greatly appreciate your assistance with entry fees, accommodations, transportation, and equipment. You can help support the teams by purchasing a “Strong Beach” shirt or hoodie here: https://www.standardissueink.us/collections/lbpd. Or, if you wish to make a Venmo donation, you can do so at this Venmo address: @LBPD-B2V-1941
