LAS VEGAS – The Association of California Wildlife Officers (ACWO) extends a big congratulations and job-well-done to the 2024 California Wildlife Officer Baker to Vegas team for successfully completing the legendary stage race from Baker, California to Las Vegas, Nevada in 15 hours and 14 minutes, winning their division and posting a record time for the team! The team was composed of active-duty wildlife officers from throughout California.
“I am extremely proud of our ACWO/CSLEA members and the entire wildlife officer team for the excellent results they posted in the race,” stated ACWO President Trevor Pell. “They competed against teams from agencies large and small from around the world, and showed, once again, that California wildlife officers are a force to be reckoned with. A big thanks should also be given to all of the wildlife officers, friends, and family who provided support for the team prior to and during the race.”
The 2024 event was held March 22nd-25th and included 259 law enforcement teams from around the world. The Cal Game Wardens team took first place in their category.
Baker to Vegas (B2V) is a 120-mile-long relay of 20 runners, all sworn law enforcement officers, of various stage lengths between 4.6 miles and 10.7 miles. The relay race takes place across desert land requiring physical and mental endurance, teamwork and camaraderie. The Cal Game Wardens team was the only wildlife officer team to compete, drawing from only 400 officers compared to law enforcement teams that have a much bigger pool to choose from.
In addition to the 20 runners, teams include 12-15 additional personnel as alternate runners, follow van drivers, volunteers to help run the event itself, and others.
The Cal Game Wardens team placed 29th overall out of 259 teams. However, Cal Game Wardens won the 800 Division, where the average age of the team members is 40-years-old or older. They stood upon the first-place podium for the first time in their history! The team smashed the previous team record by ten minutes for a time of 15 hours, 14 minutes and 48 seconds for a very impressive average team mile pace of 7 minutes and 38 seconds per mile!
