Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The dates for the 2023 Chiquibul Challenge have been announced.  Saturday and Sunday, April 1st and 2nd.  Contact the BWRC at 615-5159 for more information.

Shared on the Cayo Event Calendar.

'Register now for our upcoming Chiquibul Challenge half or full Marathon. Join the race for the conservation of Scarlet Macaws in the Chiquibul Forest!'

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic has started a crowdfunding site to help in their goal of protecting the Scarlet Macaw.  The Chiquibul Challenge Marathon is just over 2 weeks away.  It happens on Sunday, March 17th.

"The run to raise funds.

You can help save the beautiful Scarlet Macaw!Become a fundraiser as part of the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon 2019 today and help raise money for the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) AND the Friends for Conservation and Development. As a fundraiser you can raise 20 times more than a single donor to protect this rare bird.

Run or walk a half or full marathon over logging roads in hilly terrain within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Breathtaking scenery combined with a friendly atmosphere makes this event magical.

More than a race, the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon supports the Scarlet Macaw Protection program. Each year, FCD spends heavily on rangers providing protection against poachers to Scarlet Macaw nestlings. In the remote Raspaculo valley, accessible only by boat and footpaths, rangers and volunteers work in shifts, camping under the nests to deter would-be poachers. There, BWRC's veterinary staff conducts Scarlet Macaw Chick health checks and treatments as needed. The result has been a drastic decrease in poaching and an increase in chick survivorship.

You can contribute to this cause by donating to our GivenGain campaign. 100% of the proceeds received by BWRC will go directly to support this effort."

The Chiquibul Challenge Marathon has a page on World's Marathons page, and a countdown clock.  It happens on March 16th.

"Belize has a rich variety of wildlife because of its unique position between North and South America and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life. The Chiquibul Challenge Marathon is a charity event to support Scarlet Macaw Conservation work for two very special organizations; The Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic and Friends for Conservation and Development.

The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic's Cayo Race for Conservation was this morning.  They had a 5k and a 10k route(from Hode's to Bullet Tree, and back), and the winners of the 10k got a free entry to the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon, which is in 3 weeks.  The results are now online.

"Here some pictures of todays event. Thank you to Jasmin Ford for these images! Congratulations to all winners and participants (see event page for webscorer results)!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors: Hode's Place, Parrot Nest Lodge, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Sweet Ting as well as BWRC (t-shirts and prints). Thank you also to our volunteers for water stations, time keeping, shuttling and more! While we did not raise any funds with today's race, we hope fun was had by all and fitness encouraged with an early morning in beautiful nature just around town.

Special congratulations to the 10 K winners who qualified for free participation in the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon (18th of February): Junior Chiac (in 44:13 min) and shout out and congrats to BWRC's professional intern and team part-time Team for Conservation member Nuria Holzleg (in 51:44 min). See you in Chiquibul next!"

The Chiquibul Challenge Marathon is on Sunday, March 12th.  There are half and full marathon categories.  Email the registration form to bzwildlifeclinic@gmail.com if you're planning on participating.  Have fun, get a great workout, and help protect the Chiquibul.  They are also asking for volunteers to help during the race.

"Join the race for conservation and participate or sponsor the first Chiquibul Challenge Marathon!  Run or walk a half marathon (20km), or go for the full distance (40km) in one of the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth. Learn more about the challenges for Chiquibul and contribute to its conservation...

For the first year we expect to increase awareness of the Chiquibul, its beauty and threats, and to celebrate fitness. Proceeds of this race will be shared between 2 non-profit conservation organisations: Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD) and the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) to support it's conservation work with the Scarlet Macaws of the Chiquibul in partnership with FCD.

We need lots of volunteers, sponsors for transportation, food and water, Gatorade, prize money, and station prizes, medals, t-shirts and printing. We need race officials, time keepers, massage therapists and a clean-up crew."

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is having another fun run: the Manakin Maya Mountain Race.  This is a 10/20k race, and will take place on Sunday, February 3rd, and goes from Cristo Rey to San Antonio. 

"Be in Cristo Rey at 6:30. Race starts when registration is complete, around 7. 10k from Cristo Rey to San Antonio, 20k with turnaround. $30 if you register BEFORE Feb. 3rd. $40 the day of the race. Just send proof of deposit and name, team name, gender, age to bzwildlifeclinic@gmail.com, and pay into Heritage 4141053.

Walkers encouraged for 10K distance. 1st place in 20K wins free entrance to the 2019 Chiquibul Challenge Marathon. Join us for an early morning workout on one of the prettiest paved roads in Cayo. Enjoy nature, help BWRC raise funds for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and get fit at the same time."

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is having their Race for Conservation on December 30th.  It'll go from Cayo to Bullet Tree for the 5K part, and all the way back for the 10K run.  It's a great way to get ready for the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon.  Contact the BWRC to enter.

"End 2018 on a healthy note with our 5k or 10k run! The route is from Cayo to Bullet Tree (5K) and back (10K). 5K return transportation will be provided. Registration is $20 for 5K and $30 for 10K. Bring the whole family for a healthy morning activity. Pre-registration is requested to allow timely start of race by 7:10 am. First prize 10K race will be free participation in the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon."

The 2018 Cayo Race for Conservation is happening on Sunday the 28th.  It's the BWRC's prep run for the Chiquibul Marathon, and it's from Hode's to Bullet Tree and back.

"After the holidays we hope you are ready to put your running/walking shoes on, get in the groove and join us once again for the 2nd Cayo Race for Conservation on the 28th of January. We hope to encourage fitness and enjoyment of nature, right in our backyards, in the beautiful Cayo Hills. This 5k/10k race is scheduled 3 weeks prior to the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon (CCM) so you can check if you are ready for this special event. The first prize for the 10k is a free entrance to CCM. The route is from Hode's place to Bullet Tree and back."