As a part of the Belize Bank Limited ongoing commitment to serving the community, we have once again sponsored back-to-back champion team for the 2008 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge.

La Ruta Maya is a four day canoe race which travels 175 miles down the Macal and Belize Rivers. The race has been held each March since 1998, and coincides with the annual Baron Bliss Day celebrations. The underlying concept of the race is to promote environmental awareness, while at the same time creating an intense competition for seasoned and amateur athletes alike.

Every year the river banks are lined with spectators anxiously waiting to cheer on their favorite team. This year 95 teams began their 4-day journey from under the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio Town, Cayo and 78 of these completed the journey into Belize City.

As with every year, competition among the teams was fierce. Team Belize Bank comprising of Armin Lopez, Daniel Cruz, and Amado Cruz took second place with the team sponsored by Citrus Products of Belize taking home the Kinch Ahau first place trophy.

Team Belize Bank started training for the race in November 2007 practicing three days a week along the same routes of the actual race. During the four days of the race, the team was serviced by a staff member, who is the manager of the team, along with supporters of the team.

Proceeds from the race are donated to local environmental groups for the preservation of the Belize River Valley and hundreds of acres of rainforests. The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge has become one of the most popular sporting events in Belize.

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