The Cross Country Cycling Classic has been a beloved tradition in Belize for more than 90 years. Originally created to motivate locals to travel bumpy roads, the race has become the country’s most famous sporting event, attracting over a hundred amateur cyclists from Belize and neighboring regions. The race is a grueling one-day event that covers a 140-mile round trip from Belize City to San Ignacio Town.
The race was first organized in 1928 when a local man noticed that many Belizeans were using bicycles to attend cricket games. Since the George Price Highway was a rural road filled with potholes and bumps, the race was devised to encourage more cyclists to travel to San Ignacio from Belize City for cricket matches. While the initial winners took about 13 hours to finish the circuit, the present record stands at under six hours.
The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic features simultaneous participation by all cyclists, but awards are given in four distinct categories for male winners: 18-year-old cyclists, under-23 cyclists, and masters. The first female cyclist to finish the race is given a separate award, as is the team (referred to as “Elite”) with the best collective time.
The race starts at the Mile 1.5 mark on George Price Highway, close to Leslie’s Imports, in Belize City. The route follows the Highway into San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District, with cyclists returning to Belize City after reaching Queen Elizabeth Park in San Ignacio. The race takes place every year on the day before Easter Sunday, starting at 6:00 am, with the winners crossing the finish line around 11:45 am.
The most convenient and enjoyable way to attend The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is to go to Belize City, where the starting and finishing line is located. The route between Belize City and San Ignacio takes the George Price Highway, with Queen Elizabeth Park in San Ignacio serving as the midpoint.