The battle over the location of the finish line for the La Ruta Maya race continues, and today it took another when prices to view the ending were publicized.
Now, in the past this was all free, but now there's a cover charge - or a table charge if you want to go top shelf.
But tonight the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing has cleared a path where the public can watch it for free. Jaleeza Roberts went over to the Haulover today and has this report:
This morning, just after 7am, a flyer hit social media from Grand Resort and Residences that depicted the "VIP Viewing" of the Belikin La Ruta Maya Race 2026. Fees included $75 per person and $600 VIP tables for 7 guests.
Belizeans saw that and ran with it. In the uproar, the morning show hosts on Love FM's morning show including the Owner Rene Villanueva Sr. cleared the air explaining that the fee would be $10 and they would be at the Haulover Plaza at the Grand Resort in an attempt to distance themselves from the steep prices that caused a social media uproar.
Well this morning after seeing that VIP flyer, MIDH stepped in, deployed have equipment like a bulldozer, dumptrucks, a grader and a front end loader and they started clearing public spaces on both north and south sides of the Haulover bridge where the public can park and gather without paying any fee. The Chief Engineer explained why they moved:
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
"Well, as a ministry, we are trying to see how best we could present that as well to the general public because it's a race for all Belizeans. And so we have that space that is available, as I've mentioned, and we're expecting to develop that era into our park. And so we saw the need for us to go in and try and see how best we could help our own citizens to have a better view of the race as well, free of cost. And so we thought it was a good thing that we were doing as a ministry to extend that to the general public because that area that we have there is a public space anyway."
For years, when the race ended at the Belcan, it was free of charge to the public. Moreover, the Chief Engineer said that this is a yearly routine and a part of the ministry's contribution to the race, to add greater infrastructural value and safety. The only request is that with the free use, that everyone cleans up after themselves to keep it clean.
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
"Based on what we have seen on the north side, we have approximately three acres there from where the old highway was towards the roundabout. And on the north side, I think we have approximately about 2.5 acres there. And so it's a wide space along the bank that could accommodate a number of persons. I would say maybe up to a thousand persons can be a comfortable fit on both sides of the bank. Based on what we have seen on the north side, we have approximately three acres there from where the old highway was towards the roundabout. And on the north side, I think we have approximately about 2.5 acres there. And so it's a wide space along the bank that could accommodate a number of persons. I would say maybe up to a thousand persons can be a comfortable fit on both sides of the bank.type of country we have, attracting tourists and so forth. And so we want to make sure that whatever spectators visit that site, that it remains clean."
For now, Belizeans can be at ease knowing that there are many viewing options for the end of this year's race, from free to $600 peer table. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
The Ministry of Development Housing is also a sponsor of the race.
