Newport PD places high in annual footrace

Newport Beach police became the first team in the division to break into the Top 10 overall finalists in the history of a law enforcement race from Baker to Las Vegas, the department announced Tuesday.

Finalists in the 120-mile Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup run are chosen based on their finish times, said race organizer Chuck Foote.

The Newport Beach Police Department, which competes in the 150 division, finished the race in 14 hours and 48 minutes, down from last year’s 15-hour, 5-minute finish, according to the race results and website.

Over the past 12 years, Newport Beach placed first in its division 11 times, with nine of those wins consecutive, the department said.

Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach police also ranked in their divisions.

Costa Mesa came in 12th in the 500 Invitational division with a 17-hour, 55-minute finish, down from 18 hours and 24 minutes last year.

Huntington Beach finished eighth in the 300 division with a time of 17 hours and one minute. Last year the department completed the race in 16 hours and 49 minutes.

Divisions are based on the number of sworn personnel in each department, although the 500 invitation is for departments using sworn and non-sworn runners in the race, Foote said.

The teams are asked to contribute money to the Baker Unified School District, Foote said.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30