Commonwealth team paddles all the way to the finish line
British High Commission Belmopan supports local school in La Ruta Maya River Challenge 2013.
For the second year running the British high commission in Belmopan has sponsored and supported a 3 man team from Belmopan Comprehensive High School in the annual La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge.
The team, comprising of students aged 16-19 years old, proudly paddled under the team name “Commonwealth” and completed the 4 day, 170 mile river challenge in a total time of 21hours and 53 minutes, finishing in 9th place in their category and an overall position of 27th.
A total of 64 teams began the gruelling multi-day race which travels a perilous route across the country, running West to East along the Macal and Belize Rivers which was once the only link between beautiful San Ignacio located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, and the bustling port of Belize City.
The team competed using the Jubilee Canoe which was officially presented and launched by His Royal Highness Prince Harry during last year’s visit to the country.
Sprint start
On the river
Still over 100 miles to go
Congested water
Nearing the finish line
River re-supply
The crowd await the paddlers
Crossing the finish line after 170 miles and 4 days canoeing