Belize's Largest Sporting Event Attracts Competitors from Around the World

January 2006 - The ninth annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge - the longest canoe race in Central America - will be held from the 3rd to the 6th of March 2006. Considered to be Belize's most talked about sporting event, the competition attracts hundreds of extreme canoeists from around the globe, including teams from the U.S., Canada, England, Mexico and Japan to embark on this invigorating challenge. Over ninety teams of international canoeists are expected to participate and draw large crowds of fans to the riverbanks to cheer them on. The route runs West to East along the Macal and Belize Rivers, once the only link between beautiful San Ignacio, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, and the bustling port of Belize City.

Belize Director of Tourism, Tracy Panton explained, "An indisputable part of what makes the race so thrilling is the country where it takes place. Participants set off down the Belize River from San Ignacio, located in western Belize along the Guatemalan border, and begin the 180-mile journey that takes them through some of the most spectacular flora and fauna to be found anywhere on the planet. Panton further noted, "the four-day arduous race will test the paddlers' endurance until they reach their final destination in Belize City. Along the route, racers will camp overnight at points with such interesting names as Banana Bank, Bermudian Landing and Burrell Boom, before sprinting towards the finish line cheered on by the crowds."

In addition to being hailed as Belize's most competitive sporting event, La Ruta Maya River Challenge is also one of the country's largest collaborative conservation efforts. Originally organized in 1998 as an opportunity to protect the Belize River Valley, a major tributary to the Caribbean Sea and site of vital natural resources, the race is still held today in the spirit of preserving, restoring and revitalizing this precious waterway. Sponsored by the Belize Canoe Association, La Ruta Maya will donate all proceeds to local environmental groups that help sustain and keep the river clean.

Consisting of a maximum of three paddlers, each team will compete in one of seven different divisions on the basis of age, gender and construction of canoes. Entry fees are US $125 with a prize goal of $3,000 as well as thousands of dollars in sponsored "station prizes" each day to generate excitement and keep contestants on their toes.

Sponsors such as PEPSI, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Big-H Juice, Vida Purified Water and Belize Electric Company Ltd will award a First Place cash prize and the perennial "Kinich Ahua" (Maya Sun God) trophy to the team with the best overall time at the finish line.

Fittingly, the race will once again be held in conjunction with the country's Baron Bliss Day celebrations – a large Belizean festival that commemorates adventurer Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, who sailed to Belize in 1926 and fell in love with the country. Honoring this lover of the sea, Belizeans have always celebrated the holiday with water sporting events and this great river challenge to bring ultimate excitement to the festivities.

For more information on the race, please contact race headquarters at 501-824-2444, or contact the Belize Tourism Board at 501-223-1913, www.travelbelize.org.

SOURCE Belize Tourism Board

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