The Belize National Triathlon Association is the official and internationally recognized body of triathletes in Belize.
They organize a number of events year round, including:
- Super Sprint: 250m swim, 6.6 mile/10.6 km cycle, 1 mile/1.6 km run
- Sprint: 750m swim, 15 mile/24.1 km cycle, 3.5 mile/5.6 km run
- Olympic: 1500m swim, 24.8 mile/40 km cycle, 6.2 mile/10 km run
Some of the short distance events are held on the beach or even on one of Belize cayes – then you need to prepare to run on the beach and bike on a beach cruiser.
What to prepare for:
Belize is hot and humid. Here are some statistics for you to see what to prepare for:
Average temperature year-round: 23-28C / 73-82F
Daily max temperature year round: 27-32C / 80-90F
Please note: You will be in the sun almost 100% of the time. The thermometer I had with me showed 37C / 98F in the sun halfway through the race.
Average humidity: 88%-91%
Water temperature is rarely below 29 C / 84 F – think twice about that wet-suit!
Streets are rough and come with a unique feature: Speed bumps. Bring a helmet (DQ without!) and spare tires for the pool.
How to sign up:
Contact the association directly via their website or facebook. Make sure you arrive a few days early – not only to adapt to the climate but also for the mandatory tech meeeting.
Event calendar:
Check out the association’s website for the calendar of events.
Contact the Belize National Triathlon Association via their
website on
Facebook.
Other sports events:
Sunday morning, I did something I don’t do very often. Even though I probably should.
I got up at 5:00 am to take photos.
With my camera equipment, 4 liters of water in a camelbak, various rugs and towels to drain sweat, my friend Ava and I mounted Mr. Morgans taxi around ten to six and headed for Barrack Road. I am telling you about my equipment to make one point: This is what I needed to survive that day. Mostly standing around, sometimes hiding in the shade, covering about one mile of ground. Slowly. I drank all the water. I ate all the powerbars. I went through half a bottle of sunscreen And I still had to sit in an air-conditioned room afterwards for a considerable time to cool down.
Around 6:15, there was a long queue of athletes registering and getting their number written on arms and legs, wherever they didn’t have tattoos, mostly of bikes. We chatted a bit to Jim Scott, my boss at the BTIA and one of the top athletes of Belize. He explained the routes, the transitions and the rules to us. Then he hopped in the water along with the other athletes to await the start of the race.
The Belize Lionman is the annual olympic distance triathlon in Belize – hosted by the internationally recognized national triathlon association.
It is open for anyone to enter – think about it twice though. This is not a lush 5k neighborhood jog, but 1500m swimming, 40k cycling and 10k running in a climate that is out to kill you. “You even sweat in the water”, one experienced participant told me. No matter that they start at 6:30 in the morning – by the time you switch from swimming to cycling, you will wish your bike had a/c. By the time you start running you will call everyone brother who slips a handful of ice-cubes into an opening of his choice of your burning hot lycra overall.
At this event I also – once again – noticed how small this country is. I would assume that the triathlon or iron man community in any given place isn’t as big as say – everyone who likes the Simpsons. But the triathlon (or even athlete) community in Belize is like a family. Some guy runs by me with a basketball tattoo on his leg – sure enough he’s the (Ex-?) national basketball coach Kerstin met a few weeks back. It seems most of the top bikers of the country are here (biking is huge in Belize despite the roads) as part of a relay.
Belize LionMan 2011 - Before the start of the race
Belize LionMan 2011 - The start of the race
Roughly at 6:45 they started the race with a 1500m swim – two laps around a course that looked pretty heart-breaking to me.
Below map is my attempt at a rough sketch of the swimming, biking and running course. (Please note: the course went along he waterline – Baracks, Marine Parade, Princes Margaret Drive and then through the roundabout up the Northern Highway – any additional loops, rounding of blocks etc is google trying to be smart. Just ignore those please.)
View Belize City Lionman 2011 in a larger map
When the first swimmers got out of the water, the place started to come to life. Any swimmer can – in addition to his or her individual competition – team up with a biker and a runner and spark a relay team. The swimmers came out and tagged bikers who set out for a high speed chase on Belize City’s rough and roads with a lot of speed bumps.
Belize LionMan 2011 - Bikers waiting for their swimmer
The organization team and the volunteers took good care of the athletes. Whenever they came by the start/finish/transition zone (and the course layout made sure they had to come by there 8 times before they crossed the finish line, they were offered water and gatorade to drink and splashes of water and ice to cool them down. If they refused the offer, they were usually force-sprayed.
Belize LionMan 2011 - Athlete enjoying a cooling shower
The event passed with only one participant suffering from heatstroke – just as she was about to cross the finish line. By-standers actually carried her over the finishing line and into the ambulance parked there – updates said she was OK. I was amazed that from a field of (my guess) 30 participants, only one had to give up in this manner. Then again: This isn’t a joke event and none of the participants looked like they lost a bet or were simply trying to win one. All of the athletes seemed well prepared.
Belize LionMan 2011 - water splashing around all over the finishing line
When medals and trophies were presented around 11 am, I loved the fact that the winners actually received – along with their medals, trophies, “I survived the Lionman 2011”-shirts and gift baskets – a case of cold beer.
Belize LionMan 2011 - The three fastest men
When the people who had just swam 1500 meters, cycled 40k and run 10k (all of which I could actually do – spread out over about a month) were sitting in the water, enjoying a cocktail or a beer, I had to call it a day and take Ava to the nearby bar in the princess hotel. I was spent for the rest of the day.
However, it inspired and motivated to see the athletes fighting through this event. I hope there will be a sprint event before february – if there is, I will participate (either as part of a relay or with a borrowed bike).
Click here for the entire picture gallery covering the 2011 Belize Lionman triathlon from my point of view – add your comments and download the pictures.
Or just enjoy the slideshow below.
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