Paso Robles Police Department competes in Baker to Vegas Relay

By Camille DeVaul · Tue Apr 21 2026

Smallest agency in the race places eighth in division for grueling 120-mile desert challenge

PASO ROBLES — At the end of March, the Paso Robles Police Department (PRPD) took on one of the most demanding endurance events in law enforcement: the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay, spanning 120 miles from Baker to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Now in its 40th year, the relay has grown into the largest law enforcement race in the world, drawing more than 300 teams from across the United States and internationally, including agencies from countries like Germany and Australia. What began in 1985 with just 19 teams has evolved into a celebrated tradition that highlights camaraderie and fitness among officers.

This year, PRPD stood out in a big way.

Led by Team Captain Corporal Elizabeth Place and Sergeant Tyler Pierce, a team of 20 sworn officers trained for months to prepare for the desert course. Competing in the “99 category,” which includes agencies with fewer than 99 sworn officers, PRPD entered the race as the smallest department in the entire field. Despite that, they delivered a great performance, finishing eighth in their division.

"You have to have that teamwork in it, to be able to complete it, because one person won't be able to win the whole relay," Place told Paso Robles Press. "Our division this year was actually larger than last year."

This is the second year PRPD has participated in the relay race. They were also the only agency from San Luis Obispo County in this year’s race.

The Baker to Vegas relay is uniquely structured to challenge every participant. Each of the 20 runners completes a leg of the course, with distances ranging from approximately five miles to more than 10 miles. The terrain varies, including steep uphill climbs, rolling hills, and downhill stretches, ensuring that no two legs are alike. This year's race was even more challenging with higher temperatures, something the officers weren't used to training in on the Central Coast.

Despite these challenges, every PRPD runner successfully completed their leg.

"It takes a lot of [work] just being able to keep up and keep going," Place said. "Luckily, everybody completed their leg."

Behind the scenes, the effort to get to the starting line was just as demanding. Coordinating travel, support crews, and runner rotations while maintaining full police operations back home required months of planning. The team began training as early as September, committing to a six-month preparation.

"I think watching it all come together is fun and watching people get excited, and it's competitive, and I enjoy watching people challenge themselves and have fun," Place said.

For Place, who helped spearhead the effort, the experience is about more than just the race itself. It reflects the growth and culture of the department.

"We're a young department who truly has those values of integrity, having pride behind our agency," Place said. "[The race] takes accountability from everybody, to train, to work together."

In recent years, PRPD has expanded significantly, growing from a small agency of around 16 officers to nearly 65. This growth, supported in part by the passage of Measure J-20, has strengthened the department’s foundation.

The relay also provides a rare opportunity for officers’ families to be involved. Spouses, children, and supporters often travel alongside the team, creating a shared experience that extends beyond the demands of the job. Community support has also played a vital role, with local donors and the department’s Police Officers Association helping fund travel and participation costs.

"Everything was well taken care of while we're gone," Place said. "We trust our community. So it's been helpful to have that support and not feel like the guilt of leaving."

Feature Image: The Paso Robles Police Department team celebrates on the Las Vegas Strip after earning an eighth-place finish in their division in the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay. The relay is the largest law enforcement race in the world, drawing more than 300 teams from across the United States and internationally. Photo courtesy of the Paso Robles Police Department