Cross Country Cycling Classic

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The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, usually shortened to the Cross Country Cycling Classic or "Cross Country" for short, is a one-day amateur cycling race held in Belize every year during the Easter holidays. It is Belize's biggest cycling event and has begun to be recognized internationally.

The next Classic is scheduled for April 7, 2007.

Contents 1 Format of the race 2 History of the race 2.1 Original proposal 2.2 1929-1950: Opening up the West 2.3 1951-1973: The O'Brien and Miguel dynasties 2.4 1974-1990: The Doctor, Sparks and the Americans 2.5 1990-present: Modern era 3 Junior, Female and other classics

[edit] Format of the race

The race normally begins at 6:00 AM (previously 5:00 AM) on Holy Saturday morning, near Mile 2 on Belize's Western Highway, a favorite road for cycling events. Cyclists race to the western town of San Ignacio, in the Cayo District, turn there and return to Belize City, finishing at the Marion Jones Sports Complex (formerly the National Stadium) with two laps on the asphalt track. The estimated distance of the Classic is some 140 miles (some say it is closer to 145). Participation is limited mainly to amateur cyclists of any country, and cyclists from Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and the United States have participated. In addition to prizes awarded at the end of the race, station prizes are handed out at strategic points on the road going and coming. These prizes are usually cash donations, farm produce or certificates for trophies, jewelry and other items. Belizeans normally line the roadway to cheer on Belize's representatives in the race. While the cyclists are pushed toward Cayo by southeasterly or even easterly winds, a combination of those same fierce winds and the usual muggy conditions of Belize in the dry season faces cyclists on the return journey.

[edit] History of the race

[edit] Original proposal

The idea for the race originated with white Belizean Monrad Metzgen, who on a trip to one of the villages on the Northern Highway in 1928 was struck by the number of bicycles Belizeans used to attend weekly cricket games in the Belize Rural area. He pitched an idea for a sort of cycling "expedition" to San Ignacio, testing the cyclists' ability to cope with a then-badly built Western Highway, to the Governor, who immediately pledged support and offered a cup as a prize to the winner of the race. Other prominent Belizeans Metzgen spoke to, including medical officer Lieutenant Colonel James Cran, Matron L.M. Roberts of the Public Hospital, Royal Bank of Canada local manager Charles Beattie and Frans Dragten all donated money and trophies to the cause. On April 2, 1928, a parade and inspection of the cyclists was organized by Metzgen and attended by the Governor, Superintendent of Police and others, who congratulated the cyclists and sent them on a parade through the town's streets. Among the participants were two Cayo men, Cyril Simmons and Leonard Neal, who covered the journey between the two districts to prove it could be done and were specially commended for their daring. The official race kicked off on April 5, 1928 from in front of the courthouse at 5:00 AM.

The men traveled throughout the city and then hit the western road (or "trail" as some have called it) headed for Orange Walk, which was at that time the quickest connection to Cayo, though still 55 miles from Belize City (the cyclists expected to cover 90 miles on their trek). The roads were terrible, to say the least, and the first rider into Cayo, Elston Kerr, was cheered for making it into town in about 13 hours. The men stayed through the Easter holidays, feasting, eating, playing cricket and soaking up the accolades of the Cayo faithful. They also visited Benque Viejo and San Jose Succotz, the westernmost settled areas in Cayo.

But they had to go back. On April 9, the expeditionists set off at 5:00 AM, their progress reliably reported through of all things, the telephone service. Comments issued back and forth among the populace about the overall good humour of the expedition and its participants were praised for being pioneers and behaving modestly in spite of their achievement.

Kerr, of Burrell Boom, finished first in 21 hours 29 minutes, 81 minutes ahead of second place Norris Wade, also of Boom. Third place was Bertie Cleland in 24:37. Walter Scott, easily the youngest ever competitor at 13, took 50 hours to finish but was awarded a prize anyway. Race organizer Metzgen finished in 30 and a half hours. The race led to the formation of the British Honduras Cycling Association in June.

[edit] 1929-1950: Opening up the West

The second race was organized for 1929, and Kerr beat Norris Wade for his second title, becoming the first repeat champion. Wade won in 1930. The 1932 race was canceled due to the 1931 hurricane which devastated Belize City the previous September. Other early champions included brothers Robert and Goldburn Ferguson, Jose Sosa, Ben Sanchez and Hendicott Croft. Toward the middle 1940's, Altreith Smith and Aston Gill emerged as the best cyclists. Smith won the first one-day event in the late 1930's and Aston Gill won four times between 1947 and 1951.

[edit] 1951-1973: The O'Brien and Miguel dynasties

Beginning in 1951, a young cyclist named Jeffrey O'Brien would become arguably the most dominant champion ever. He joined Gill as a four time champion from 1951 to 1955. His chance at making that total five was halted by a most unusual race in 1953. The story goes that Cycling Association officials felt O'Brien was too dominant and might affect the sport's development. They planned a stratagem involving four junior riders (under eighteen) who would receive a half-hour headstart on the seniors. O'Brien and the peloton caught all but one, the eventual winner, Clinton Castillo. The incident has become a treasured part of Belizean cycling lore. O'Brien would retire in 1955 and never race again. But a new dynasty was to emerge, featuring a team of cycling brothers, the Miguels. Edward, Arthur, John and Rudy would share 11 of the next 13 Classics between them, though not without some controversy. In 1958, John Miguel's finish with contender Duncan Vernon was ruled a dead heat, the only one in Classic history. In 1961, brother Edward thought he won (actually had the race won) and raised his hands in the air accordingly, only to be disqualified in favour of Vernon and Arthur Miguel. John won the most titles of the quartet with four, followed by Edward's three, and Arthur and Rudy with two each. Other winners during the period were Clinton Castillo in 1967 and Kenneth Sutherland. In 1971, an international participant won for the first time, Mexico's Pablo Calderon, but he won on the Northern Highway, where Cross Countries have occasionally been held. In 1972, Cayo's Anthony Hutchinson, nicknamed "The Tank", demolished Calderon and the Miguels for his first title on the Western Highway, then repeated in 1973 ahead of Kenrick Halliday, then an unknown. But Belizeans were soon to know all about him.

[edit] 1974-1990: The Doctor, Sparks and the Americans

Kenrick Halliday was to achieve cycling glory in a most dramatic fashion. City born, handsome and talented on the bike, "The Doctor" as he was known seemed the perfect successor to Gill, O'Brien, the Miguels and Hutchinson. In 1974, Halliday won convincingly, and repeated in 1975, breaking a record set by O'Brien nearly a half-century before-on the day Halliday was born! But this event is noted for rivalries, and one was born when Alfred "Sparks" Parks defeated the field in 1976 during Halliday's absence. "Doc" returned with a vengeance in 1977 and 1978, but could only watch as Parks devastated the peloton in 1979 when he led the race from start to finish. Overall, Halliday won four titles to Parks' two and is regarded as the better sprinter. But Belizeans will not soon forget their rivalry.

In 1980, a special finish was witnessed at the Stadium as Alexander Vasquez outdueled twenty of his peers to win. 1981 saw the arrival of Alpheus Williams, a precocious youngster who would go on to win three Classics before 1985. Teammate Lindy Gillett set the record and was the youngest winner at 18 in 1983; Robert Mossiah and Matthew Smiling took titles in 1985 and 1986, respectively. But in 1987, cyclists from the United States imported by Belizean team owners would put an end to the homegrown dominance. Ward Zauner broke Gillett's record in his 1987 win; Steve Steward and David Licker swept the top positions in 1988, and Frank "Mac" McCannon took the roses in 1989. These American winners rode a faster pace and were better sprinters, but Belizeans knew we had the right person to beat them-if we could find out who he was.

[edit] 1990-present: Modern era

A panicky local Association restricted international competition in 1990, turning the race into a sort of contest for a "Great Belizean Hope" to bring down the Americans. He turned out to be Charles Lewis, who smashed Zauner's record and evoked memories of strong performances from previous champions. When McCannon led a team of Americans back to Belize in 1991, the nation pinned its hopes on Lewis to defeat them. He came through, breaking his own record and restoring the nation's pride. Lewis' effort began a sort of Belizean "renaissance" that lasted through 1995, as brother Michael, Collet "Bunas" Maheia, Orlando Chavarria and contenders Nigel Matus, Fred Usher and others defended Belize's honor. Adding to the memories was a pair of exciting and controversial finishes. In 1993, Roque Matus thought he had the race won, similar to Edward Miguel in 1961 and stopped riding after crossing the finish line at the Constitution Park-only it wasn't; this allowed Maheia to attack and win. The line was apparently left over from municipal elections work earlier that year. In 1994, the scene shifted south to the Yabra area. After Charles Lewis claimed first place over American Bobby Lee, brother Michael began the sprint for third- and crashed into a slow moving truck belonging to local communication company BTL and holding broadcasters from KREM FM covering the finish. The oncoming peloton could not avoid the melee and a huge spill developed which was blamed on the broadcasters.

In 1996, international cyclists began another run of domination. Americans won 6 of the next 10 Classics, Mexico and Guatemala one each, and Belizeans just three. Two of those belonged to Ernest Meighan (1997, 2001) and the other to current champion Shane Vasquez of Cayo. A pattern has developed of younger Belizean cyclists and expendable foreign ones leading the race early, dropping back into the peloton, then allowing fresher, stronger, more well-known cyclists to step forward. Most Belizean teams bring in foreign riders to participate, then have to defend themselves to the outraged public when a foreigner wins. But foreign participation is good for the sport as it introduces Belizeans to fresh talent and provides for a real test of Belize's capabilities.

[edit] Junior, Female and other classics

As the popularity of the Cross Country classic became apparent, the local Association hastened to broaden its appeal. The Junior and Female versions of the event began in the 1990's and rode on the same day as the big race, though over a shorter distance and finishing earlier. The early years of the female Classic were dominated by Camille Solis, who won six titles, the most for any Classic participant, male or female. She retired in 1997 and female cycling stalled until its revival with a new core of cyclists. Gina Lovell is the current female champion and Byron Pope the current Junior Male Champion. The female Classic, part of a list of annual events, now runs in May on, appropriately, Mother's Day, while the junior Classic runs a week before the big one. More recent additions include special races for Masters' and Non-elite (unregistered) cyclists.