Teams at Haulover Creek past the Belcan Bridge in Belize City – Photo Credit: News 5 Live Live Stream Screenshot
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The final day of the 2026 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge ended with a protest paddle, as a group of teams continued past the official finish at Grand Resort and headed to the traditional finish line at the Belcan Bridge in Belize City, where a large crowd had gathered to welcome them.
The protest stemmed from the Belize Canoe Association’s (BCA) objection to the organizers’ decision to move the finish from the Belcan Bridge to Grand Resort. According to the BCA, teams were not consulted about the change, which they say breaks with long‑standing tradition and alters the character of the race’s final moments.
Fans by riverside at the Belize City Civic Center Grounds wait for the protesting canoeing teams on Monday, March 9, 2026, after the finish of the 2026 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. – Photo Credit: News 5 Live Live Stream Screenshot
As teams completed the official course, several paddlers appeared live on Love FM, as they have after each stage, despite the BCA stating that their membership had agreed not to grant interviews to the station. The interviews continued throughout the afternoon as the final leg wrapped up.
According to News 5 Live, once the official finish was completed, about 20 teams gathered at the channel entrance to Haulover Creek and proceeded toward the Belcan Bridge. By the time they arrived, a huge crowd had assembled near the Belize City Civic Center grounds, cheering and welcoming the paddlers as they completed the symbolic extension of the race.
The BCA, which has been in contention with the organizers over the finish‑line change, said the paddlers would be hosted at the Belize City Civic Center area, where a celebration would take place. The protest paddle marked an unusual and symbolic end to this year’s race, reflecting the importance many teams and supporters place on the traditional Belcan Bridge finish.
Protesting canoeing teams on Haulover Creek head to the Belcan Bridge in Belize City on Monday, March 9, 2026, after finishing the 2026 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, in protest of the change to the race’s finish venue. – Photo Credit: News 5 Live Livestream Screenshot
The post La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge: Canoeing teams stage protest paddle to Belcan Bridge as large crowd gathers to welcome them appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Teams at Haulover Creek past the Belcan Bridge in Belize City – Photo Credit: News 5 Live Live Stream Screenshot By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The final day of the 2026 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge ended with a protest paddle, as a group of teams continued past the official finish at Grand Resort
The post La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge: Canoeing teams stage protest paddle to Belcan Bridge as large crowd gathers to welcome them appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
