7 News Belize

The Ruta Maya rolled off this morning with 48 paddling teams setting off on the Macal River in San Ignacio for the 175 mile trek. Tonight, the teams are resting up in Banana Bank and the leader is the NICH Team - which is three seconds ahead of the second place team, defending champions, Koop Sheet Metal, which, in turn, is four seconds ahead of third place D & A Smart Warriors. So basically, with 7 seconds separating first and third places, it's a dead heat. Tomorrow, that lineup may change on the longest leg of the race, the 68 mile stretch between Banana Bank and Double Head Cabbage. Channel 7 will have live coverage tomorrow and Sunday and Monday, so make sure to tune in.