Jim Brown Wins 96th Cross Country Cycling Classic Back-to-Back

British cyclist Jim Brown of the Miami Blazers defended his title at the 96th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, crossing the finish line first to claim the garland once again.

Brown, who won last year’s Classic in 5 hours, 45 minutes and 40 seconds, now secures back-to-back victories in Belize’s biggest cycling race.

The race kicked off at 6 a.m. from Digi Park in Belize City and followed its traditional route along the George Price Highway to San Ignacio before returning to the city.

This year’s Classic featured local and international riders from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the U.S., and Canada all competing for glory in what is recognised as the “longest‑running cycling race in the Western Hemisphere”.

More than $27,000 in cash finish prizes were at stake, with over 100 station prizes in cash and kind.

Brown secured the coveted garland after outpacing a competitive field of more than 70 cyclists.

Founded in 1928, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic has become a cornerstone of Belize’s Easter tradition, uniting sports fans, families, and communities nationwide. The Cycling Federation of Belize, officially registered in 2014, remains the sole body recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and licensed by the National Sports Council to represent athletes in the discipline.