Ervaar de spanning en het avontuur van de La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge
March is synonymous with one event above all others — the Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. Steeped in history and tradition, the four-day endurance race sees expert paddlers, novices, and thrill seekers take on the Old Belize River in all her glory. Dozens of canoe teams from Belize and abroad paddle the snaking 180-mile-long river, once an important transportation and trading route for the ancient Maya.
De race begint aan de voet van de stad San Ignacio bij het aanbreken van de dag op de slaperige oevers van de rivier de Macal. De iconische Hawkesworth brug in de stad is gevuld met massa's toeschouwers die zich verzekerd hebben van een vroege blik op het evenement. Om 7.00 uur barst de rivieroever uit in een oorverdovend koor van gejuich als de luchthoorn het startsein geeft voor de race en een slopende tocht. Nu begint de opwinding!
For a few brief hours, the George Price Highway is trooped with vehicles carrying support crews, families, friends, and adventurers looking to secure a close-up view of the action at the next lookout point. One doesn’t have to be a sports enthusiast to enjoy the festivities. The fun of it all comes from debating who will be the day’s winner, taking in the quaint charm and beauty of the stops along the way and the shared merriment that fills the air over the four-day weekend.
Following the La Ruta Maya is an off-the-beaten-path way to see and experience Belize as a local. The race ends on the first day, close to midday at the Banana Bank River, a popular swimming spot just a few minutes away from the capital city of Belmopan. The surrounding grounds turn into a camping soiree with barbecue on a grill and ice boxes filled to the brim with drinks as campers pitch their tents for the night. On the second day and third days, the canoe teams make their way to Double Head Cabbage and Burrell Boom, respectively. Both villages are nestled in the heart of the Belize River Valley. Here you’ll find the best rice and beans you ever had, along with a bounty of other Creole dishes and treats.
On the fourth and final day, if you’re not awakened to the sounds of howler monkeys, it is the shared excitement of spectators gathering to send off their favorite teams on the last leg of the journey. The race culminates in Belize City, where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea. Spectators gather to see the first canoe sightings and who will be the first to cross the finish line. Making it to the end is a celebration not only reserved for the official winners, but for each participant who can proudly say they endured the strenuous La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge.
The La Ruta Maya Canoe Belize River Challenge first started in 1998 as an awareness-raising initiative promoting the historical and environmental importance of the Belize River. Since then, it has grown into one of Belize’s major sporting traditions with male, female, and mixed teams of all ages competing in the various categories.
Als je in San Ignacio of binnen het bereik van de Belize River Valley, sla het slapen in en deelnemen aan de opwinding van dit spectaculaire evenement.
The Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge takes place on the long weekend, which observes the National Heroes and Benefactors’ Day, on 9th March.
