Protest or Not, Ruta Maya Paddlers Followed Rules

As the dust settles after that dramatic, history‑making finish, another question is now echoing among La Ruta Maya fans. Will the protesting paddlers still get their prizes? Supporters noticed something unusual during Sunday’s award ceremony. Broadcasters called out the names of several top‑finishing teams, inviting them to collect their medals. But the paddlers were nowhere in sight, they were already at the BelCan Bridge, completing their symbolic finish. And that absence has stirred fresh speculation. Despite the protest, there’s every indication that these athletes will receive what they earned. Their station prizes, their medals, and their final cash payouts are all tied to performance, not attendance. So far, nothing suggests otherwise. In fact, Association Vice President Elvin Penner put it plainly, every paddler followed the rules of the race.

 

Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association 

“The organizers will be forced to give every prize and trophy to the persons that deserve it. As far as I am concerned not one of the paddlers that are here broke any of the rules during the entire running of the four days of the race. There is nothing in the rules that tells you what to do after you finish the race. So, as long as they have no grounds to disqualify them from the start of the race to the end, once they complete each leg as they suppose to, then the paddlers will have to take that up with the organizers. Now, I believe that the wisest thing for them would have been to come here and give it to the paddlers here. I don’t think there will be more than three or four persons claiming their trophies there. But it is not to undermine them. It is not to undermine the current organizers. We have nothing against Belikin, Love FM, we have nothing against anybody.”

 

So, while this year’s La Ruta Maya ended with an unforgettable act of unity, fans can expect the rewards to follow the results, no drama, no controversy, just fairness on the finish line that really counts.

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.

 

Watch Full Newscast Here: