L.A. County Probation Rises to the Challenge in the 2019 Baker to Vegas Race

Media Contact: Kerri Webb, Public Information Officer
kerri.webb@probation.lacounty.gov, (562) 315-3388

For Immediate Release:
March 29, 2019

L.A. COUNTY PROBATION RISES TO THE CHALLENGE IN THE 2019 BAKER TO VEGAS RACE

Los Angeles County Probation's Baker to Vegas Team and Volunteers

LOS ANGELES—Runners from the Los Angeles County Probation Department made the Department proud after placing fifth in the mixed division category of the highly competitive 35^th annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay, March 23-24, in the Mojave Desert.

The 120-mile, 20-stage foot race from Baker, California to Las Vegas, Nevada is law enforcement’s most prestigious relay run, as thousands of runners from law enforcement and public safety agencies all over the world embrace the challenge of running day and night through the desert to complete the arduous course.

L.A. County Probation’s time of 16 hours, 12 minutes, 14 seconds earned a fifth place finish out of 22 teams in the Mixed Division (minimum five female runners), once again demonstrating the depth of talent and strength in this team. The team received the 2019 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup commemorative mug for finishing in the top 50% of their division. Of the 284 teams that competed in this year’s race, L.A. County Probation finished 66^th overall. The 2019 Baker-to-Vegas Relay’s overall top finisher was the Belize Police Department (12:49:44), showing the international reach of the race.  The Mixed Category’s overall winner was the University of California Police Department (15:07:21).

The last three legs were a battle as DSO Miguel De Leon did an amazing job on Leg 18 when he passed about 14 runners. He handed off to DSO Elizabeth Guevara who battled several male runners to keep De Leon’s lead intact. DSO Guevara passed the baton to SDPO Tony Oshiro who fended off runners and passed multiple teams with a come from behind surge in the final miles of the race. He ran the baton home for L.A. County Probation and was greeted by Chief Terri McDonald and the rest of the Baker to Vegas Team.

L.A. County Probation SDPO Tony Oshiro passes runner from Fresno Police Department during 2019 Baker to Vegas Race

For a complete list of all 284 finishers, and to view photos and video of the weekend’s race, please visit bakervegas.net.

The entire Los Angeles County Probation Department is so proud of these amazing athletes proudly the 2019 Baker to Vegas Relay Team and Committee.  L.A. County Probation’s participation could not have happened without the volunteers who provided fantastic support to the runners throughout the night:

Alva George, Thomas Holland, Maria Holland, Lisset Escobar, Yvonne Meredith, Raul Landeros, Jorge Lopezchavez, Julio Avila, Rosanne Villasenor, Ignacio Mayen, William Bivens, Yvette Perdomo, Angela Rodriguez, Timothy Vallez, Damion Rodriguez, Paul Chavez, Cynthia Lavarreda, Gustavo Mojarro, Johana Lara, Lisa Ramos, Andrea Carmouche, Myshauna Alexande, Marisa Ron, Exinia Lavarreda, Antonio Mascorro, Stacy Hampton, Gisselle Osorio, Geraldine Gonzalez, Trene Tipler, Norma Godinez, Esther Symonds, and Monties Dedmon.