King Tide causes postponement of Lionman Triathlon, new date not yet set

Published by [email protected] at September 23, 2024

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Posted: Monday, September 23, 2024. 1:58 pm CST.

Ana López Camp wins Belize City Triathlon on December 3, 2023 – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Not only did the King Tide affecting Belize City cause the shortening and rerouting of the Independence Day Parade on Saturday, September 21, but it also caused the postponement of the Lionman Triathlon, which is making a return. The Lionman Triathlon Organizing Committee announced on Friday, September 20, that the event was postponed due to the King Tide swelling the swim area by the Memorial Park and flooding streets on the cycling and run route in Belize City.

“Flooding along Marine Parade, Princess Margaret Drive, and high river levels pushing more debris downstream, we had to postpone,” Belize National Triathlon Association president Giovanni Alamilla said on Monday.

“We haven’t set a new date as yet,” Alamilla said.

Kian Trejo placed 3^rd in Belize City Triathlon on December 3, 2023 – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre

The decision to postpone the event, which is making a comeback after not being held sin 2018, was made last Friday.

“We regret to inform you that due to recent flooding and high tides, the swim area for the upcoming Lionman Triathlon, originally scheduled for Sunday, September 22, is currently unsafe,” the Lionman Triathlon Organizing Committee said on Friday, September 20.

“Additionally, several streets along the bike and run course have been affected by floodwaters.”

“Given the unpredictable nature of the weather and for the safety of our competitors, organizers, and all involved, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the event.”

Albert Davis won Belize City Triathlon Mixed Relay along with Ana López Camp and Oscar Quiroz on December 3, 2023 – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre

The King Tide, which is a naturally occurring phenomenon, occurs up to four times per year due to the gravitational pull of the moon or sun on Earth, and has caused unusual flooding in Belize City mainly due to climate change.

While the King Tide is expected to subside after Monday, September 23, the Lionman Triathlon Organizing Committee will wait and see.

Kent ‘Bob’ Gabourel won the last triathlon held in Belize City, the Belize City Triathlon, on December 3, 2023. Mauro Cucul was second and Kian Trejo was third.

Splash’s Ana López Camp won both the Belize City Individual Women’s Triathlon and the Elite Mixed Relay Triathlon in Belize City. López teamed up with Cross Country Cycling Champion Oscar Quiroz and long distance runner Albert Davis to conquer the Relay Triathlon.

Kent ‘Bob’ Gabourel (center) won the last triathlon held in Belize City, the Belize City Triathlon, on December 3, 2023, over 2^nd-place Mauro Cucul (left) and 3^rd-place Kian Trejo (right). (Photo Courtesy: Kian Trejo/Facebook)

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