Photo: (l to r) 2nd Julyn Aguila (Williams Racing Team); 1st Regina Doty (L.A. Sweat); 3rd Elizabeth Stevenson (L.A. Sweat)
by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 25, 2024
Regina Doty of LA Sweat is the 33rd Annual PUMA Women’s Cross-Country Classic champion, crossing the finish line in 3 hours 16 minutes and 44 seconds, just 9 minutes 15 seconds away from the 3 hours 07 minutes 29 seconds record set on May 2003 by Mexican Brenda Aguayo. Last year’s champion, Caitlin Conyers from Bermuda did not return to defend her crown this year.
Eleven female professional and amateur cyclists – four Americans, three Belizeans, two Mexicans, one Jamaican, and one Trinbagonian (from Trinidad and Tobago) – made the 73-mile journey from San Ignacio Town, Cayo District to Belize City.
In the end, American national Doty claimed this year’s garland, with Mexican national Julyn Aguila of Williams Racing Cycling Team securing second.
American Elizabeth Stevenson of LA Sweat got third at 3 hours 39 minutes and 03 seconds, Trinbagonian Alexis Ramirez in 3 hours 39 minutes 03 seconds for fourth place, and Jamaican Llori Sharpe of Williams Racing Cycling Team came in fifth at 3 hours 29 minutes 07 seconds.
Belize’s Kaya Cattouse of LA Sweat, came in sixth in 3 hours 29 minutes 44 seconds, American Mary Monton of Williams Racing Cycling Team took seventh place and American Mia Scarlato of LA Sweat came in eighth.
Mexican Kala Garcia of LA Sweat placed ninth with a time of 3 hours 30 minutes 28 seconds. Belizeans Gabriel Gabourel of G-Flow finished tenth in 3 hours 55 minutes and 24 seconds and Nathalie Lovell of Team Lovell wrapped up the competition at 4 hours 01 minute 27 seconds in eleventh place.