2023 finish at Belcan Bridge in Belize City – Photo Credit- Belikin La Ruta Maya
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: A number of teams competing in the 2026 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge say they intend to continue paddling to Belcan Bridge on Monday, March 9, in protest, after the Belize Canoe Association (BCA) claimed that the organizers changed the final‑leg finish to Grand Resort without consulting the teams.
The final leg from Burrell Boom is scheduled to start at 10:00 am, but several paddlers have already stated that once they cross the official finish line at Grand Resort, they will continue downriver to Belize City to complete what they consider the traditional and rightful end of the race.
On Sunday night, Alfred Lopez of Koop Sheet Metal posted a message in the Facebook group Paddlers Hangout, urging teams to uphold the long‑standing finish at Belcan Bridge and signalling that Koop Sheet Metal would be paddling the full distance regardless of the official ruling.
“The plan from the beginning and still current will be that the race will continue as per normal,” Lopez wrote.
“The difference will be when we arrive at The Grand Resort we will be making our way to the entrance of the Haulover Creek until there’s 25-30 teams and we will make our way to the Belcan bridge together as one showing unity.
“Let’s create history. ✊🏻”
So, while official ending of the race and after party is ongoing, another event has sprouted by the Belcan Bridge with the full backing of the Belize Canoe Association, who have been in open disagreement with the Ruta Maya race organizers.
“The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, shall once again be about the paddlers, fans and team sponsors. We all will becoming key steakholders [sic] in the race. 95% of the country is behind us. We approched [sic] Belikin, and we were told that they do not wish to set up anything … at the Belcan Bridge, on the Belize City Center grounds. Well thanks to Caribbean International Brewrey [sic] the welcoming party is all set up. DJ Benz will be in the house,” the Belize Canoe Association said in a social media post.
Belikin are the official sponsors of the race, and though the company called for an amicable settlement to the impasse “over a Belikin”, they would not be expected to jump ship. That would be like not supporting yourself.
A protest rooted in tradition and communication concerns
For nearly three decades—save for an exception or two—La Ruta Maya has ended at Belcan Bridge, where thousands of Belizeans gather to welcome the canoes after four days on the river. The BCA says the decision to finish at Grand Resort was made by the organizers without proper consultation, leaving paddlers feeling sidelined.
A dual finish now appears likely
As of early Monday morning, the situation points to an unusual outcome:
– The official finish remains Grand Resort.
– Multiple teams intend to continue to Belcan Bridge as a form of protest.
– The police have said they will provide safety support beyond Grand Resort, but their forces are being stretched thin.
– Just like the race, fans in Belize City will be divided — here, there, or everywhere.
Competitive standings unaffected, but the protest shapes the narrative
The protest does not alter the standings. PACT on TRAK enter the final leg with a seven‑minute lead and are overwhelmingly favoured to secure the overall victory.
But the story of the day may not be the winners alone. The decision by paddlers to continue to Belize City — in defence of tradition and in response to what they view as a unilateral change — has become the defining storyline of the final morning.