The New York Police Department today announced that the first annual "Fittest of the Finest Contest" will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly will help kick off the debut event, which
the Department hopes to develop into an annual tradition.

As part of the New York Police Department's commitment to promoting health and fitness, the contest will pit members of the Department against each other in a rigorous competition that requires strength, stamina, and dexterity. The event will be divided into 10 groups: five age brackets with a men's and women's division in each. First-place winners in each group will receive two round-trip tickets aboard Jet Blue; second-place winners get one round-trip ticket.

The "Fittest of the Finest Contest" will comprise four events, with points awarded in each. First, competitors will face the "Ladder Crawl," a tough, 19-rung ladder. Next, they'll do as many sit-ups as possible in two minutes, every sit-up counts as another point. Then, there's the strenuous obstacle course, where contestants will have to climb, crawl, tug, and swing their way to the finish line. Finally, they'll complete the competition with a tough two-mile run.

More than 300 members of the NYPD, uniformed and civilian, have already signed up to compete. About 70 college students from Columbia University and St. John's University will serve as contest judges. There will be clowns and face-painting booths for children, as well as other games and
activities. Breakfast and a barbecue lunch also will be provided.

To further promote fitness, the New York Police Department will set up a Health Area with booths for checking blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as general health information from the Emergency Services Unit.

The "Fittest of the Finest Contest" is sponsored by the New York City
Police Foundation. For more information call DCPI at 646-610-6700.