La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge 2010

Caves Branch Outpost takes the lead from Belize Bank (photo by Tanya Mejia)

The 13th La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge left from Cayo last week Friday early in the morning and finished in Belize City on Monday around noon. It came right down to the wire as three teams battled it out for first place. Less than a mile from the finish as the race passed Belama the lead teams were battling it out as the Belize Bank Team led the race. But with a last minute burst of energy, Caves Branch Outpost was able to surpass Belize Bank seconds before the finish line to claim the win.

First Place – Caves Branch Outpost

Second Place – Belize Bank

Third Place – CPBL

Fourth Place – Regan International

Racers at starting line on Friday, March 5

Pictures provided by Belize Tourism Board

Team Belize Wins Texas Water Safari

The Texas Water Safari is billed as world's toughest boat race. This year low water and high heat made the 260-mile canoe marathon even more challenging. Belize Team “Las Animas” a six-man boat, finished in 46 hours and 23 minutes. With three semiprofessional paddlers from Belize (Daniel Cruz, Amado Cruz & Armin Lopez) and two others from Texas, the team led most of the way. As competitors finished with massive bruises and cuts from scrambling over the piles of logs, all agreed this year's race was the toughest ever. This year’s race started on Saturday, June 13 and culminated on Monday, June 16, 2009.

Armin Lopez of Belize (left) celebrates with teammate William Russell III of San Antonio on Monday in Seadrift after their team won the Texas Water Safari, a 260-mile canoe race on the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers.