Photo: Anselm Waight on bike beside brother Cassian
in 1931 when Anselm placed 2nd in that year’s
Cross Country Expedition

Sylvia’s dad – Anselm Waight, the man most responsible for Cross Country changing from a days-long expedition to a one-day race

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Much has been said and written about our legendary Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, from its inception in 1928 through the organizing efforts of Monrad Metzgen, and its historic first champion Elston Kerr, to its fabled history through the years and many great champions until today in 2023, when it remains the single biggest one-day sporting event in the nation. But it wasn’t always that way, a one-day event. We are reminded by Belizean nationalist and sports enthusiast extraordinaire, Ms. Sylvia Waight, that it was her dad, Anselm Waight, who was most responsible for the Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic becoming a one-day affair.

We have heard stories of the old days when there was not even a complete road to Cayo, and so the riders in those early years had to cross small creeks, where they would put their bikes on their shoulders and wade across before continuing their journey on picado trails that eventually led to San Ignacio, where a big celebration awaited them for the Easter, the riders then making the return journey a day or two later.

But we never fully understood how the change came about, only a note in the Cross Country annals that in a certain year, 1948, they began to make the journey going and coming back to Belize City on the same day. Actually, a Wikipedia page on the topic simply comments that, “Toward the middle 1940s, Altreith Smith and Aston Gill emerged as the best cyclists. Smith won the first one-day event in 1948 and Aston Gill won four times between 1947 and 1951.” That’s all; no explanation.

The road to Cayo must have been improved by then, to make that change practical. According to the Wikipedia page: “Due to repair projects initiated on the Western Highway by Governor Alan Burns, some races were held on the Northern Highway. Donald Lightburn was the first winner on the Belize-Corozal circuit (in 1935 and 1936), followed by Jose Sosa in 1937 and 1938, Ben Sanchez in 1939, Goldburn Ferguson in 1942 and Aston Gill in 1947 (his 3rd victory). A few later races went to Orange Walk and back; this practice was discontinued after Mexico’s Pablo Calderon won in 1971.”

It would therefore appear that a return to the western road became attractive after “repair projects” were completed, and thus spawned the idea of a one-day effort. But, there must have been a proposal from someone, and discussions held, before the idea became a reality. According to Sylvia, her dad was the one who first proposed the idea, and whose impetus saw it become a reality, and for that he should be recognized and applauded, even if posthumously.

The idea of bringing this matter to the public was discussed some years ago, according to Sylvia, and the Cycling Association had even scheduled a radio (TV?) show to have this piece of Cross Country history publicly recorded and acknowledged. At the time, a highly respected veteran cycling coach, Lewis “Buck” Belisle, was approached, as he was an aficionado of the sport and had been a witness to (and perhaps even a participant in) the event being spotlighted, the very first one-day Holy Saturday Cross Country.

As Sylvia explained in a March 29, 2023, email, “In 1948, just a few weeks before the Expedition for that year, my father Anselm Waight met with several cyclists at home. He had calculated time and distance covered in past Expeditions and reckoned the race could be done in one day. Some cyclists present doubted it possible and others said it could be tried. Daddy put the suggestion to a vote and the majority voted for it.”

Apparently, this fact was publicly verified on a couple radio sports shows, but never recorded in our newspapers for posterity. However, she asserts, due to a quirk of fate, there remains one written testimonial that should remove all doubt. “Mr. Buck was to have been on Mr. Smokey Joe’s Show but he said he was too shy.” Whatever excuse he gave to decline the invitation, it turns out that the legendary Buck Belisle, who was battling illness at the time, had opted instead to put his thoughts on paper.

Sylvia said that Buck Belisle’s son, Michael, had in his possession his father’s original hand-written testimonial on the topic of the first one-day Cross Country, photo copies of which she shared with us, and the content of which we reproduce at the end of this article.

Sylvia continued, “There’s also testimony to this deed on a sports show that used to be hosted by Miss NELLIE TRENCH on Sundays. Mr. Melford Ramsey was on this show. During the presentation, a caller inquired who is the person responsible for the Expeditions becoming a one-day reality and Mr. Ramsey replied, ‘Anselm Waight’.” 

Furthering her argument in favour of her dad’s name being recognized in the Cross Country annals as being most responsible for the change to the one-day event, Sylvia maintained that if we review “visual records of the Sunday Miss NELLIE TRENCH SHOW and the Wednesday Mr. SMOKEY JOE SHOW, on both shows you will hear the spoken testimony of Mr. MELFORD RAMSEY, Mr. ASTON DEAN GILL, Mr. HERBERT GENTLE, Mr. ROBERT FERGUSON. The latter won in 1933, 1934 and ten years later 1944. Mr. Ferguson used to work at the gas-station we knew as Lelé’s Gas Station on Freetown Road. At that time the Cycling Association had a criterion that the first cyclist to win three Expeditions, gets to keep the cup. Mr. Ferguson won three Expeditions before Mr. ASTON DEAN GILL’s 1945, 1946 and 1947 victories. (Aston Gill also won a fourth in 1950.) Sadly, Mr. Ferguson is retired and also blind. He lives somewhere in the Fabers Road Extension area.”

Sylvia jabs Popie

Of course, a true sports/cycling fanatic, Sylvia couldn’t resist the opportunity to throw a few sporting jabs in relation to the upcoming ‘Country, the subject being Elite cyclist Byron “Popie” Pope, who recently appeared on a sports show after winning a smaller local race.

“Before I leave, kindly do remind Popie that a cyclist can win several races throughout the year; BUT if he does not win the Holy Saturday Cross-Country Cycling Classic, he has not won anything yet and not in the big league.

“Popie, if you want the Belize flag, ride for it!”

Sylvia said, “We were to meet with Èmil Moreno on the 24th October, 2010. The UCI had complained that the name of the race is too long for their IT system. Èmile Moreno had asked if we had anything in writing. The only testimonial was Mr. Buck Belisle’s writing. 1961 Hurricane Hattie (had) demolished our house and ALL records were sadly destroyed. 

“The meeting did not come about, as man proposes and God disposes! Belize was struck by Hurricane Richard. 

“Yes, Belize, our pride and (joy) should really have the name of its author, its originator, Mr. ANSELM PHILIP WAIGHT, SR.

“Cheers for a born and bred Belizean victory this coming 8th April, 2023!”

Buck Belisle’s testimonial

Following is our best verbatim reproduction of the written testimonial by Lewis “Buck” Belisle which he reportedly penned in 2008:

Buck Belisle’s testimonial on first one-day Cross Country

Good night. My name is Lewis G. Belisle, better known as Buck Belisle. I was asked to comment on this inception of this non-stop Cross Country event.

At an Annual General Meeting held in 1948, the then president Anselm Waight came up with this idea of a non-stop Cross Country through the village of Burrell Boom. A lengthy discussion took place. Boom had a ferry and no bridge. What if the race broke up before reaching the ferry? Anselm, the president and former Cross Country cyclist, second to Donald Lightburn in 1931, was able to persuade us. It was agreed for all participants to cross the Ferry at the same time. If needs be, a short wait for any stragglers.

At about 10 minutes to five, my very good friend Aston Dean Gill and I went to the starting point. On reaching he realized that one of his wheels was soft, so he went back to fix it.

However, 5 o’clock came before his return and so Don Poly Smith decided to wait a few minutes for Gill.

The race started on North Front St. opposite to the place which later became the Eden cinema. The race went off like a bat out of hell. D. Lightburn, G. Gabourel, M. Ramsey, A. Smith, D. Graham and a no. 15, Graham helper took off. I was with them but after turning into Mapp St. I realized that Aston was not with us. I pulled up and waited to inform him of the flight.

At about Mile 8 no. 15 was caught. On reaching the ferry we found out that the other fellows had already crossed on skiffs. Robert Ferguson said not to worry, as they are disqualified.

Making it short, Graham, Lightburn and Gabourel were caught prior to reaching El Cayo. Smith won this race, Ramsey came in second. I could not win the Cross Country, so I trained winners. Anthony Hutchinson 1972, 1973 and Alpheus Williams ‘81, ‘82 and ‘84.

The second non-stop was won by Alvin Joseph and Aston Gill took second place.

(AMANDALA Ed. Note: The Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic has been a one-day race ever since.)