Conceptualized by Richard Harrison of Big-H Enterprises for the purpose of launching Vida brand purified water, La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge made its debut on March 9, 1998.

It was an opportunity to bring together many partners in order to  build an event that would allow for promotional themes of ‘natural products’ identified with sports, endurance, while at the same time raising consciousness about one of Belize’s natural resources: The Belize Old River.

Today, the Belikin La Ruta Maya is considered one of the longest canoe races in Central America that brings together professional and amateur paddlers from all over the world who take on the four day grueling challenge of paddling 175 miles of the Belize Old River against rapids and winds.

Day 1 goes from the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio to Banana Bank

Day 2: Banana Bank Lodge to Double Head Cabbage

Day 3: Double Head Cabbage to Burrell Boom

Day 4: Burrell Boom to Belize

The Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge is now become a major public and tourist attraction and the first canoes enter Belize City to cheering crowds at about 10:00 am on the last day which coincides with the National Heroes and Benefactors Day; a Public and Bank Holiday.