It’s Final: La Ruta Maya Finish Line Moved to Grand Resort

Organisers of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge have confirmed that the fourth and final leg of the race will end at the Grand Resort.

Vice Chair of the race planning committee, Roberto Harrison, said the decision was driven by safety and logistics. “After quite a bit of debate and back and forth, the decision is final,” he told News Five, explaining that the traditional finish near Belcan Bridge and the Civic Centre had become increasingly difficult to manage.

Harrison explained that securing the traditional finish area has grown more costly and complex, particularly for an event that attracts thousands of spectators, in an open space “where anything can flare up”.

He also insisted the resort has sufficient space. “It’s quite an open space too. There’s a little bit of investments that have been done by the proprietors to clean the area and to ensure that the landing is a safe one for the paddlers first and foremost,” he said.

On‑water safety will be managed by the Belize Coast Guard, which will direct canoe traffic and monitor tides and undercurrents near the finish line.

Harrison also confirmed that small businesses and vendors who traditionally set up at the finish line will still be allowed to operate at the new venue.

Responding to concerns from paddlers who felt left out of the decision, Harrison said the organisers did consult with teams and sponsors. “The decisions that we make are not always easy, and we understand the importance of tradition. But at the end of the day, tradition sometimes has to be changed in the interest of success,” he said.