Ruta Maya race starts Friday
Some competitors went into training the day after last year’s race finished, while for others, getting in shape consisted of drinking an extra Guinness… But that’s what makes the Ruta Maya canoe race so much fun. The starting gun sounds on the 2004 edition just after dawn tomorrow morning… and tonight some of the organisers offer a preview.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
For the past six years, we have watched a growing number of bold Belizeans risk aches, pains, cramps, and dementia… all for the glory of bragging, “I paddled one hundred and seventy-four miles from San Ignacio to Belize City!”
And this weekend, more than a hundred paddlers in all shapes and sizes, will do it again.,
Roberto Harrison, Organizer, La Ruta Maya
“We are adding a new division or a sub-division under the pleasure craft division allowing family members to paddle day one and day three only. Family members being cousins, aunts, a combination of. They can now do the race, try it and see if they like it. Hopefully, the idea is to get them to do the four days next year or other years to come.”
Conceived as a creative way of raising environmental awareness, Harrison says despite its evolution the race is remaining true to its roots.
Roberto Harrison
“We have been always conscious about the environmental aspect of the river. There is erosion happening, there is farming happening on the river, there are floods that come and go. Our aim this year is to address one or two particular projects along the river. In particular, one at Maypen, where we want to do some erosion control at the banks of the landing point where the students go to school.”
The challenge of La Ruta Maya is also finding funding for the initiatives. For the past five years, Grupo Taca has been one of the event’s strong supporters.
Johnny Searle, Grupo Taca/Seasports Belize
“This is the old method of transportation of the Mayan Indians so many years ago and now we think that Grupo Taca is the, has taken over that role of transportation of Ruta Maya throughout Central America. So we want to sponsor it as part of that historical interest. As far as Seasport is concerned, we want to create awareness of the marine life in the rivers and how they affect the reef and marine ecology of the country of Belize.”
And even the sponsors are in it to win it, sort of.
Angelo Mouzouropoulos, IMMARBE
“We have a canoe. I won’t be heading this year down any stream, but may I say that the IMMARBE will be participating this year in the pleasure division. Last year as you may remember, we did actually win that division, so we have high hopes this year since we have improved paddles, lightweight paddles, so there is a lot going on. Whether I will ever participate, that is a separate matter.”
For first timers the race can be intimidating, but motivation and endurance are key.
Alexandra Bedran, Haad Aze Pikni
“At first, we wanted to set up speakers that are waterproof to keep the beat of the music, but obviously, that’s not going to work so we are not going to talk and just concentrate on just paddling and keep our energy as high as we can I guess.”
Andrea Bosch, Haad Aze Pikni
“We are one of the youngest female teams and I would like to encourage other females to come out, join the race. You don’t have to have muscles, but just a little bit of encouragement and it will last through the four days and you will hopefully make it.”
The race starts from the Hawkesworth Bridge at seven on Friday morning and will finish for the day at Banana Bank. On Saturday the paddlers will travel their longest length, over ninety miles, to Bermudian Landing. Day three has them heading for Burrell Boom. On the last day the survivors paddle from Boom on their victory run into Belize City, where hopefully you’ll be on hand at the Belcan Bridge to cheer them on.
