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Daniel Ortiz reporting
100 riders, including 25 foreigners, took off from the BTL Park for the ceremonial ride out of the city for the 87th Running of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Class.

Over the last 10 years, Belize as a country, has seen only 3 natives capturing the garland, and so, Belizeans at home and abroad were waiting with abated breath wondering if one of their own would win this one. The defending Champion, Mexican Juan Pablo Magallanes, was not in the line-up today. There were 6 former champions competing. These were Darnell Barrow, Giovanni Choto, Shane Vasquez, Michael Lewis, Chris Harkey, and Bill Elliston.

Just after the Fabers Road Junction, the starting whistle blows, and they are officially off to Cayo.

8 miles into the race, this are the sights and sounds of the early morning and the peloton, with no significant breakaways yet.

At the station prize in Hattieville, Shane Vasquez takes control, followed by Scotty Weiss, Erwin Middleton, and Delon Gentle, and right behind them is the peloton.

Around Mile 18, a group of 7 have successfully separated themselves from the main group of riders. These include Richard Santiago, Erwin Middleton, brothers Corey and Justin Williams, Aiden Juan, Shane Vasquez, and Scotty Weiss. As we can see they're working cohesively to try to extend their lead.

At Rockville, the lead 7 remains are intact, and, but less than a minute behind a group of six that includes Peter Choto, David Henderson Jr., Phillip Leslie, Mexican Yahir Jimenez Godinez, Leroy Cassasola, and Delon Gentle is trailing them.

A few minutes behind American Guy East is trying to make a break from the main peloton. Around mile 28 the lead group of 7 is rolling, and they're replacing all the fluids and electrolytes that they're burning.

At La Democracia, the same 7 are in front, and less than a minute behind, the chase group that was six is now down to 4, minus Phillp Leslie and Mexican Godinez, who are only seconds behind.

Around mile 27, there is a merger of the breakaway 7 and the chase group of 4. In the lead, we have Shane Vasquez of Western Spirits, American Scotty Weiss of Team Starlight, Erwin Middleton of Benny's Megabytes, Richard Santiago of Team Digicell, Justin and Corey Williams of Team Bel-Cal, Mexican Godinez of Team Cancun, David Henderson of Smart Zoom, Leroy Cassasola of Team Santinos, Peter Choto and Aiden Juan of Team C-Ray.

At the Belmopan Junction, David Henderson Jr. wins the $950, as carrot cake, some orange juice, tropical brandy, and hotel stay for 2.

At this point in the race the gap is over 3 minutes, and as we roll through Camalote, the breakaway, which is now 11 men strong, seems to be well organized with everyone taking a turn on the pace.

Passing Teakettle, there is signs of fatigue, but the group of 11 continues to extend their lead. At Dead Man's Curve, everything remains the same. At Mount Hope, Aiden Juan easily takes the prize, while the other 10 leaders are right on his heels.

As we inch our way toward Cayo, our camera catches the lead group of 11 on their ascent to the top of Floral Park.

At the halfway point, the crowds anxiously await the arrival of the principals of the Classic, and as the riders come into view David Henderson Jr. is the first to cross the Hawksworth Bridge and captures that station prize including a 400 dollar shopping spree, a return ticket on a local airline, $200 cash, and a high-end cellular phone.

Almost 5 minutes later, Giovanni Choto of Team Digicell is attempting to catch up with the break away, and 30 seconds later, the main peloton, which is noticeably smaller than before is led by Angel Tzib and Chris Harkey. They are still trying to figure out the way forward.

On the return journey, the lead group is laboring to manage the 4 plus minutes advantage that they enjoy. Aiden Juan is taking a midmorning snack, with just about 45 miles to the finish.

Passing the Deadman Curve once again, the leader remain committed to working together, but Peter Choto, and Erwin Middleton have been dropped.

The time gap from the leaders to the chase is now 5 minutes and 25 seconds. Aiden Juan takes the station prize in Roaring Creek, and almost 5 minutes later a group of 12, lead by American Guy East are still trying to figure out the formula to get closer to the frontrunners.

But around mile 46, the chase group of 12 has been caught by the main Peloton, and they still can't cut into the gap created by the leaders. Guy East, who won Belmopan Cycling Classic, explains.

Guy East - American Elite Cyclist
"Hard day, it's not easy. Hard race. I don't know what to do. I can't get away."

Back at the front, at around mile 41, the lead group which started out as 12 is now down to 9 riders.

But 9 miles later, at around mile 32, 4 men are dropped, and the lead group is now down to 5. Missing are, Leroy Cassasola, Richard Santiago, Shane Vasquez, and Aiden Juan.

So, as we head toward Belize City, lead group consist of Mexican Godinez of Cancun, Justin and Corey Williams of Bel-Cal, David Henderson of Smart Zoom, and Scotty Weiss of Starlight.

At Rockville the lead 5 drives on, and the last reported time check is 4 minutes 40 seconds.

At Hattieville, Scotty Weiss take the prize, and Justin Williams and the others are right on his wheel. Noticeably, David Henderson has stopped working.

10 miles later, at the police checkpoint in Belize City, the 5 keeps together, and no attacks are being launched. But, the race is quickly winding down.

Rolling past the Lord Cemetery, all 5 riders start picking up the pace, but at this point, they all know that it will come down to a sprint for the finish line.

When that finally happens the first man of the lead group to cross the finish line is Belizean American Justin Williams, who wins his first Cross Country in his cycling career. American Scottie Weisse is only a few seconds behind him for second place, followed David Henderson Jr. for third. Fourth place is Mexican Godinez of Cancun Cycling is 4th Place, and Justin's brother, Corey Williams, rounds out the top 5.

Justin Williams - Winner, 2015 Cross Country
"I have so much pride right now. I am so happy. There was a couple time in the race I was hurting, but I just kept thinking to myself, I got to do it for the country and I just rode on pride today."

David Henderson Jr. - 3rd Place, 2015 Cross Country
"The other guys that I chased with, as the pressure came on, they look to go back way. It's just heart and soul and I really tried to pull it through from mile 20 to Belize City."

Corey Williams - 5th Place, 2015 Cross Country
"I am really happy my brother took it home."

Reporter
"Corey, what kind of game plan did you have coming into this race?"

Corey Williams - 5th Place, 2015 Cross Country
"To run myself into the ground for my brother."

Scottie Weisse - 2nd Place, 2015 Cross Country
"My strategy and the team's strategy today was to be aggressive, so that's what I tried to do early on and I was able to get in the move and we all worked very well together going at your station prizes. I had a great day and I felt great on the bike. This race inspires me, I really wanted to it. Second Place is great."

Justin Williams finished the race in 5 hours 54 minutes - well off the record of 5 hours 40 minutes. He won the $6,000 first prize sponsored by Digicell 4G, the garland and a trophy - and as the Belizean winner, he won a $10,000 prize from Massy United Insurance, a $5,000 prize from the Ministry of Education and Sports, $250 from LC Distributors and a parcel of land from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Later on we'll have an extended sit down with the new champion - where he discusses his family ties to the race - and where puts aside doubts about his Belizean-ness..