Poll Shows Strong Opposition to La Ruta Maya Finish Line Change

An online nonscientific poll conducted by News Five on our Facebook page shows overwhelming public opposition to the recent decision to move the finish line of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge from the BelCan Bridge to the Grand Resort near the Haulover Bridge in Belize City.

We asked, “Do you support changing the La Ruta Maya race finish line from the BelCan Bridge to the Grand Resort near Haulover Bridge?”. Nearly 1,000 people cast their votes. Of those, 92% said they opposed the move, only 5% supported it, and 3% were unsure or felt they needed more information.

The comments section reflected the strong feelings behind the numbers. One respondent wrote, “La Ruta Maya not Belikin La Ruta Maya… this is an event that the public supports, a long time entertainment. I believe we don’t need no changes because of someone or that one specific company weh want greedy up themselves.” Another pointed to the historical significance of the March 9th holiday, saying it represents Baron Bliss’s legacy and should not be altered.

Safety concerns also surfaced. One commenter warned, “The waters at Grand Resort are dangerous and very deep. Imagine sprinting and tumbling over and the current back yo weh.” Others questioned whether paddlers had been consulted, noting, “The man that create La Ruta Maya has died years ago. His vision was San Ignacio to Belize, but in life, things change… the question is, do the participants want to end there?”

There was also frustration over the possibility of spectators being charged to view the finish. “Why? So there can be a charge to enter Grand Resort in order to see the ending? They sure as hell are not gonna block off the bridge and allow people to be on there watching,” one person wrote.

For many, the sentiment was simple: “Leave the race the way it has historically ended.”