Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic

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Sports & AdventureBelize City to San Ignacio
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceNearly a century of unbroken history sets
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: BZD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic in Belize City to San Ignacio

Monrad Metzgen pitched this cycling race in 1928 after watching Belizeans bike long distances to village cricket matches, and the event that resulted, first held that year, now claims the title of the longest continuously run one-day cycling classic in the Western Hemisphere. Riders cover roughly 144 miles round trip from Belize City to San Ignacio and back every Holy Saturday, drawing international competitors from Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, the UK and the US, organized today by the Cycling Federation of Belize.

Monrad Metzgen watched Belizeans pedal long distances on bicycles to reach a village cricket match along the Northern Highway in 1928 and pitched the idea of a formal cycling expedition to San Ignacio, testing riders against a Western Road that was, at the time, barely more than a rough track.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Nearly a century of unbroken history sets this race apart from virtually every other cycling event in the Western Hemisphere, and the course itself tells the story of Belize's own infrastructure development, from Monrad Metzgen's 1928 test of a barely built Western Road to today's paved George Price Highway

02

The mystery stays covered

The gap between early finishing times, around thirteen hours, and today's sub-six-hour records reflects both that road improvement and decades of competitive cycling development in Belize

03

The city starts moving

An international field that regularly includes riders from Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, the UK and the US gives a race with purely local origins a genuinely global competitive edge each Holy Saturday

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Traditions include the near-century-old Holy Saturday timing

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the 144-mile Belize City to San Ignacio round-trip route

The sacred route

Living ritual

and international rider participation from neighboring countries and beyond

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Belize City to San Ignacio to work differently.

What to wear

Spectators should wear breathable clothing and sun protection for a full day along the highway route; competitors need standard road-cycling kit suited to Belize's heat and long racing...

Safety

Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Belize City to San Ignacio you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

BZD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map18.52 N, 88.29 WOpen in Google Maps

Belize City to San Ignacio, Belize District/Cayo, Belize

Nearest airportBZE — Philip S. W. Goldson
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Belize City to San Ignacio to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Belize City to San Ignacio you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Belize City to San Ignacio via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Belize City to San Ignacio, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearSpectators should wear breathable clothing and sun protection for a full day along the highway route; competitors need standard road-cycling kit suited to Belize's heat and long racing distance. A hat and sunglasses help at exposed roadside viewing points.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Belize and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic?

Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is listed for Past edition: 4 April 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic take place?

The festival is listed in Belize City to San Ignacio, Belize. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Belize City to San Ignacio, Belize District/Cayo, Belize

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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