May 15, 2007
      Originally built to repel invading Mongol hordes, China’s Great Wall is about to experience a new type of invasion. Opting for running gear instead of horses, armor, or spears, six veteran members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department plan to conquer China’s famous landmark in a very different way.
      On May 19, 2007, Capt. Randy Pentis, Capt. Tim Hagel, Sgt. Frank Underlin, Sgt. Paul Higgason, Sgt. Dave Kenney, and Deputy Peter Frank will run the Great Wall Marathon Beijing, Northeastern China, to raise money for local charities. The event consists of a traditional 26.2-mile footrace, but with a twist. Nearly half the race will involve negotiating thousands of stone steps on the Great Wall itself.
      The team has trained vigorously for the event, logging 30-45 miles per week as well as thousands of steps at the Camarillo High School Stadium. The group represents a cross section of the Sheriff’s Department, including management, supervisors, and rank and file members. All share a common goal of maintaining a high level of physical fitness and raising money and awareness for medical causes.
      “This year we are focusing on children’s charities,” said Capt. Randy Pentis, who founded the organization Cops Running For Charity. “We do this because we are in the caring business. We also enjoy the physical and mental challenge of the run.”
Corporate sponsors have pledged money, which CRFC will distribute to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation.
      Last year, the team ran a punishing 120-kilometer race in the Sahara Desert in Tunisia. All of the men finished the race, but not without some serious suffering. “The sand and the wind made it a grueling event,” said team member Frank Underlin. “Our feet were like hamburger after that one. Luckily, we were able to recuperate in Rome for a few days before flying home.”
      For this year’s punishing event, the team will ascend and descend an estimated 3,700 steps of the Great Wall during the marathon. Randy Pentis’ older brother, Gary, who holds the rank of commander on the Sheriff’s Department, is traveling to China to support the team. Randy bought his brother a pink sweatshirt with the words “Team Mom” printed on it. “He doesn’t know about the shirt,” Randy Pentis said. “I’ll give it to him after we land.”
The team plans to convalesce in Hong Kong before returning to their various assignments with the Sheriff’s Department.
      In 2008, the team will travel to Namibia in Southwestern Africa to climb the towering dunes of the Namib Desert in a four-day, four-marathon odyssey.