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Two Rivals Expect to Beat Arson by a Country Mile
We have heard of a number of combination fire and police arson squads, but there is one combined fire and police effort that aims to run arson right out of the country. Well, maybe not exactly out of the country, but the participants will certainly pound it into the ground. No previous attack on this crime has required so much physical stamina and determination.
We’re referring to the “Let’s Run Arson Out of Town” transcontinental relay race between fire fighters of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department. Each team in the bunion derby to publicize the battle against arson will have 12 runners to cover the 3578 miles from Burlington, Vt., to Santa Clara, Calif.
Starting July 4 in Burlington, the runners will pound arson into the dust for an estimated 16 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes. Their arrival, scheduled for 9:58 p.m. (How’s that for optimism?) on July 20, will mark the opening of the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara.
Each team member will run 10 miles about every 14 hours, and because there are no alternates, other members of the team will have to take up the slack if one of the runners has to drop out of the race. There are 26 support members on each team who will drive motor homes that will provide sleeping quarters. The runners will depend on the hospitality of fire fighters along the route to provide facilities for showers and relaxation.
There will be no pause in the race as it courses through such places as Cleveland, Chicago, North Platte, Boise and Lakeview, Ore., then south into California with a curve through Reno before turning for Santa Clara. Communities along the route will be urged to conduct their own “Run Arson Out of Town Day” on the day the transcontinental runners breeze through their area.
The race was born with a challenge from Police Chief Daryl Gates that was accepted by Fire Chief Clyde A. Bragdon, Jr. The fact that neither is rumored to be considering running indicates that they are not only experienced, but also successful, administrators. The police runners will also use the race to publicize their recruiting drive.
All members of the two teams will be running on their own time and team expenses are being picked up by World Games and Sportscience Labs.
And all this comes when we thought walkie-talkies on the fireground had done away with runners!
