New Record for Female Cross Country

Good evening Belizeans ballers and supporters at home and abroad. This week to end women’s month we highlight the ladies on the road for the 2026 Women Cross Country Cycling Classic. I’m Shane Williams with another exciting edition of Sports Monday.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

The nation’s top female cyclists hit the George Price Highway this weekend for one of the most demanding races on the calendar, the 2026 National Female Cross Country Cycling Classic. From seasoned champions to rising young talent, riders pushed through grueling miles in a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower. And this year’s race carried added significance, as one of Belize’s most decorated cyclists lined up for her final ride, marking the end of an era in local cycling. This race started in controversy with Kaya Cattouse fighting for her rider’s right to wear her team jersey but it ended with no dispute as Bermudan national Gabriella Arnold broke out early from the pack and rode in uncontested with a record breaking time of three hours and three minutes, breaking a nineteen year record.

 

Gabriella Arnold, 2026 Cross Country Champion

“Going in today to today’s race I knew that Mariana from Mexico was going to be really strong. She’s my old teammate, so we know our strengths. We know each other’s weaknesses. We knew how to play to that. I was able to get away and I noticed that I had an opportunity to actually get away from the group. Way earlier than I thought I wanted to today, but I seized it, I took it, and then I spent the rest of the day by myself. That was not an easy race for me today. That was very hard. The last 20 miles was very hard in this straight headwind all by myself today. But yeah, I came here in October for Caribbean championships and I came second in that race. So this is now actually my second time racing here in Belize and had to come back. I will be back for sure.”

 

Belize’s living legend kaya Cattouse, who announced before this race that she was hanging up her elite racing jersey after this one, finished third. She had to fight for her teammate to ride in the Loans To Go jersey at the beginning of the race but said she was able to overcome that mental hurdle to compete on the road. 

 

Kaya Cattouse, Third Place

“Today was definitely a great race. I’ve lined up for so many cross countries before, coming into a big race like this, you always have to ensure that you come in mentally and physically already. And of course it started rocky the mental was a bit off, but that had nothing to do with how the race unfolded. Fortunately I’m an elite athlete and I am able to leave everything at the start line once the race starts and, pick it up back after the finish line. I wouldn’t say that necessarily affected my race today in any way.”

 

In the Belize City Interoffice Softball match of the week, the two top contenders, Holy Redeemer Credit Union Eagles faced off against Tax Services Enforcers. The enforcers burst out the gates, walking and slugging themselves to an early double digit lead in runs. However, the high powered offense of the Eagles responded with lasers all over the field, bringing back the game just before the mercy rule was in effect. Enforcers responded with this clutch hit and pulled away for a 20 to 16 victory. Our other Friday night game was a blowout from the start with the Belize Electricity Limited making quick work of the Health Heart Breakers by the score of twelve to two in just four innings.

 

The National Elite Basketball League served up a full slate of weekend action—and fans across the country got their money’s worth. We start in Belize City, where the Belize City Defenders delivered a strong statement win, taking down the San Pedro Tiger Sharks eighty-eight to seventy-four, snapping San Pedro’s early-season momentum and reasserting themselves as contenders. The game hung in the balance up to the middle of the fourth quarter when Shane Pratt went insane draining buckets after buckets to pull away and hand the Sharks their first L.

 

Down south, the EZ Investment Dream Ballers and the Belmopan Trojans battled in a tightly contested matchup. The Dream Ballaz managed to edge out the win in a hard-fought encounter, 103 to 89. Jahiem Ciego led the game in scoring with 31 points, continuing their push up the standings. Up north, the Orange Walk Running Rebels stayed hot, powering past the Corozal Spartans 87 to 76 in another dominant wire to wire performance to maintain their position at the top of the league.  Kenneth Perkins led all players with 27 points for the Running rebels. With teams beginning to separate themselves and playoff implications already creeping into the conversation, the NEBL season is heating up.

 

And to close off we want to congratulate the ladies who came out on top at this years Belize Volleyball Nationals in Spanish Lookout. Out of twelve teams participating, it was the Simon Quan Mega Starz who took home the gold. Simon Quan’s Ultra Stars finished second and the Lady Jaguars finished third.  Well That’s all we have for you this week folks. I’m Shane Williams reminding you that friendly competition unites and balling is life so, keep balling Belize!

 

 Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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