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Codie Norales was out on the road for all 144 miles. Kwame Scott narrates the drama:

2009 Cross Country Champion Mexican Carlos Lopez, 2012 champion Giovanni Choto followed by Belize's top finisher last year, Ron Vasquez. Last year's second place finisher, American Patrick Raines. 2018 Junior Cross country champion, Shaun Codd, Quinton "the Baddest" Hamilton, 51 year old blast from the past, Fitzgerald Joseph were just a few of those at the early sign in.

Just before the start, past champions competing in today's event, were called to the front of the line. These included Shane Vasquez, Giovanni Choto, Carlos Lopez, Bill Elliston, Michael Lewis, Justin Williams, and Chris Harkey

Before the official start, there is a ceremonial ride through the city called a lead - out - it's a slow cruise through some of our principal streets where the fans get to view their favourite riders at warm-up speeds.

The official start numbers reveal that there are 101 riders starting, this included 87 Belizeans, which included 10 juniour riders riding in their first ever cross country, 14 foreigners which included 8 Mexicans, 5 Americans and one Jamerican - notably, no Guatemalan riders showed up.

As we turn the roundabout at Flag Monument, Belizeans waited with a bated breath anticipating about 6 hours of agony for the cyclists and anxiety for fans hoping that the garland would stay home.

And at Leslie's Imports they're off at just a few minutes past 6:00. In the early going the pace is fast and furious as two time Cross Country champion, American Chris Harkey launches an attack. He is followed by 2006 Champion Shane Vasquez and a group of other riders.

Around mile 4, Chris Harkey seems to be attempting a solo run. Also around mile 4, Phillip Leslie launches an attack. He is followed by Keon Robateau and Brandon Morgan, But then Mexican Carlos Lopez jumps on the pace followed by Henry Moreira.

As we approach mile 10, we have an inside peek at the pelothon, where riders hearts are pounding as hard as their pedals.

As we enter Hattieville, Phillip Leslie is attempting a solo run. Phlillip Leslie rides for the SMART, C-Ray, Western Spirit Cycling team - he enjoys a 30 second lead as we leave Hattieville.

At Rockville, Herman Requena takes the prize - the race is pretty much still together. At La Democracia there's a small group trying to separate themselves which includes Nissan Arana, Giovanni Choto, Joel Borland, American Rich Harper and Mexican Rider Johnathan Coache, Shane Jones, and Kaydine Pinelo

Around mile 42, a five man breakaway is in full effect. It features Darien Anderson, American David Flynn, David Henderson of Westrac, Tarique Flowers of Benny's Megabytes and Phillip Leslie of SMART, C-RAY, Western Spirit. The 5 appear to be working in cohesion, so let's see how far this one is gonna go.

As we approach the Belmopan cutoff, the breakaway of five is reported to be a minute and a half in front of the chase, which, we can assume, would be led by team Digicel - the only team without representation in this breakaway.

At Roaring Creek at Garbutt's Puma Service Station, young Darien Anderson - riding unattached - takes the station prize. About a minute and a half later comes the main pack of riders.

As we roll through Teakettle, the same five are still in front but now enjoying a lead of about a minute. Headed to Ontario - the lead group of 5 featuring Phillip Leslie of SMART, Tarique Flowers of Benny's, Darien Anderson riding unattached, David Henderson of Team WESTRAC Alliance and American Rich Harper are enjoying a one minute, 12 second lead.

At Mount Hope young Shaun Codd riding in his first cross country's the first rider up the infamous Mount Hope (you make it), followed by Joslyn Chavarria Jr., Rich Harper and Peter Choto.

As we roll through Central Farm, Joslyn Chavarria Jr., Rich Harper and Peter Choto have separated themselves

At Esperanza - the lead trio have gained over a minute lead on the chase, American Rich Harper rides for Team Starlight, Peter Choto rides for Team SMART, C-RAY Western spirit, and Joslyn Chavarria rides for team Digicel.

At the halfway point in San Ignacio - fans are lined up waiting. And the first man across the bridge is Joslyn Chavarria - in a time of 2:42:42 - 11 minutes off the record. A little over a minute later, Mexican Jose Luis Reyes leads a group of four that features Shane Jones, Richard Santiago and another Mexican. And less than a minute later, the main group led by 2015 cross country champion Justin Williams comes across the Hawkesworth Bridge.

On the return as we approach Floral PArk, Joslyn Chavarria, Rich Harper and Peter Choto remain in the lead. With a lead of one minute and twelve seconds at Go-Slow - the lead trio pushes on into a strong headwind.

As the leaders approach Mount Hope you can see the sings of Patriotism - the Belizean sentiment, hoisted high. Meanwhile inside the chase group at this time, we caught a glimpse of Angel Tzib, Anthony Taylor, Dwight Lopez and Mexican Carlos Lopez. At Dead Man curve, the lead trio of Choto, Chavarria and Harper seems to be losing momentum

About a minute later, Chris Harkey is trying to get across to the breakaway, Meanwhile, the main peloton is being led by the flying Scotsman Liam Stewart and Nissan Arana.

Approaching Camalote, we caught up with a group of five who had broken clear of the main peloton, these are Justin Williams, Oscar Quiroz, Carlos Lopez, Ernest Bradley and Giovanni Lovell. Combing out of Belmopan, there's a new configuration, featuring some 7 riders at the front. These are Chris Harkey, Oscar Quiroz, Giovanni Lovell, Ernest Bradley, Giovanni Choto, Joslyn Chavarria Jr, and Justin Williams.

Across Beaver Dam Bridge we caught up with American Patrick Raines, Mexican Rudy Rincon and Bel-Cal rider Richard Santiago trying to get across to the breakaway. The lead group Americans Patrick Raines and Chris Harkey, two Mexicans, Carlos Lopez and Rudy Rincon, BELCAL rider Richard Santiago, team SMART riders Oscar Quiroz and Peter Choto, Belize Linkup Rider, Justin Wiliams and Digicell Riders Joslyn Chavarria, Ernest Bradley and Giovanni Lovell. They seem not to be working together, and we don't see a consistent pace-line, so how will this one unfold?

A look at the main peloton shows a significantly smaller group than that which went to Cayo - and for the most part, it doesn't seems like a chase is in effect. Meanwhile back at the front of the race - around mile 34, there seems to be some momentum building - they seem to be chasing, but who could they be chasing?

The 2015 Cross Country champ, known much more for his sprinting capabilities is making a run for it. He looks good doing so as he hydrates, and glides along into a stiff headwind. Around mile 29, Williams is gaining ground, with the latest time check being two minutes ahead of the chasers.

The chasers at this time are: Patrick Raines, Geovanii Lovell, Joslyn Chavarria and Carlos Lopez. Approaching Rockville, Williams is gaining ground, he's now two and a half minutes in front and his pedal stroke appears to be smoother than silk.

At Rockville, he can hear the cheers of a Belizean fans who now have hope that one of their own will make it into the city first. The chase group of four still led by Patrick Raines still more than two minutes behind. And forty seconds later Oscar Quiroz, Rudy Rincon and Richard Santiago are chasing the chasers.

And about 30 seconds later, Liam Steward, Ernest Bradley, Chris Harkey, Joel Borland and Byron Pope are tying to make a move. Around mile 19, the David Flynn group has caught up with the Chris Harkey Group. With Justin Williams now reported to be almost three minutes in front, the chase is now being led by Mexican Carlos Lopez.

Exiting Hattieville, Justin Williams is a man on a mission, in a zone of his own. A quick look at the most memorable solo runs in the cross country over the past 25 years reveals that in 1990, Charlie Lewis rode 25 miles to the finish, Chris Harkey in 2004 rode 33 miles to the finish, in 2006, Shane Vasquez rode 19 miles to the finish, in 2008, Ryan Bauman rode 47 miles to the finish, in 2010, Miguel Perez rode 4 miles to the finish, in 2011, Luis Santizo rode three miles to the finish, in 2012, and the longest run in recent history, Giovanni Choto 62 miles to the finish. Will Justin Williams be able to accomplish this feat, with a solo run from around mile 34, would he be able to take his place in history and win for the second time in three years?

28 year old Justin Williams born to Belize parents in California is automatically a Belizean by descent, he holds a Belizean passport, which makes him as good as rice and beans, fried jack, Johnny Cake or cuttobrute.

Around mile 10 - with a 3 minute lead, Joel Borland is tying to make a go for it. But more importantly, a chase group of 12 features Byron Pope, Liam Stewart, Jose Luis Reyes, Carlos Lopez, Ernest Bradley, Joel Borland, Giovanni Lovell, Joslyn Chavarria Jr, Patrick Raines, Rudy Rincon, Richard Santiago and Oscar Quiroz.

Just after Burdon Canal bridge, with an anguished look on his face and his latest time check putting the gap at now over four minutes, Justin Williams appears to be digging deep into the reserve tank, each pedal stoke is punishing, but one push closer to history.

As he edges his way towards Belize City, his racing experiences abroad obviously playing a major role as he digs deep for the skill and stamina to finish a race of this magnitude.

At Faber's Road junction, Williams, sporting number 124, can hear the swells of applause from a city eager for a champion. Entering Lord Ridge Cemetery, Williams is starting to smell the roses. Unto Central American Boulevard the applause is in surround sound as fans crowd the sidewalks to cheer him on.

And at the flag monument, the closest time gap is well over four minutes. On Princess Margaret Drive, Williams waves in appreciation to his Belizean fans - he finally knows that victory is his.

And at the finish line, the solitary figure of a victorious Justin Williams is the result of hard work over the last 5:45 minutes and 17 seconds.

Some 5 minutes later, American Patrick Raines finishes second for the second year in a row, and Mexican Rudy Rincon finished third while Liam Stewart finished fourth.

And 18 seconds later, Giovanni Lovell beats out Mexican Luis Reyes to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

Some 47 seconds later, Byron Pope comes in 7th followed by OScar Quiros, Joel Borland and Richard Santiago who finished 8th, 9th and 10th respectively.

Williams finished the race in 5:45:58 - which, as you heard in the story was five minutes off the 2008 record. The first under 23 rider was Ernest Bradley, second Thereque Leslie and Kaydeen Pinelo third.

IN the open masters category it was Patrick Raines, Liam Stewart and Carlos Lopez

And in the Masters Category, it was Liam Stewart, Jose Choto and Kenroy Gladden and the first Juniour was Shaun Codd while the youngest rider to finish was Tevin Chaplin.