We are excited to announce a new partnership between the Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club (GVOC) and the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Racing Series (MOMAR). 

The GVOC will be designing and managing the orienteering stage at the Burnaby MOMAR.  Led by Canada’s National Orienteering Team coach, Magnus Johansson, this stage is guaranteed to be both challenging and fun. 

The MOMAR will also be partnering with the GVOC on presenting two Why Just Run events.  These events are ideal training opportunities prior to the Burnaby MOMAR.   The first Why Just Run event takes place on Sunday, March 20th, at the Watershed Park in North Delta. The second event takes place on Sunday, May 8th, at Rice Lake in North Vancouver. Prior to each event, the GVOC will feature a “Tips from the Pros” session with Magnus and National Team athlete Louise Oram.  The events may offer an option to participate in teams and/or on bikes.  Mark these dates in your team’s training calendar.

Also look for orienteering specific clinics taught by Magnus to be offered as part of our MOMAR Clinic Series.  We’ll be posting the clinic dates in February.

MOMAR racers are encouraged to spend time practicing their orienteering skills and the GVOC offers many other orienteering events throughout the year including thier Wednesday Evening Training (WET).  For more details on the the GVOC and the Why Just Run events, go to www.whyjustrun.ca.

Even I know that there’s more to racing than the MOMAR.  As we head into the summer months, there are lots of events to get involved with either by racing or volunteering.  Here are some that I personally recommend:

Sunday, June 8th — GutBuster Trail Run in Nanaimo
The third race in my old race series takes place in Nanaimo, BC.  This course features an 8km and Half Marathon course through the trails around Westwood Lake and into the Abyss.  Go to www.gutbustertrailrun.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino/Ucluelet
I was the event director for this race in ’06 and ’07.  In that time we added the half marathon and increased registration numbers by 110%.   I’m not organizing it anymore due to my new job with the City of Surrey but Danielle Stothers, the new event director, has a good handle on things and things should hopefully be as smooth as ever.  A few spots are left for this race. Go to www.edgetoedgemarathon.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — ALS Adventure Challenge in Deep Cove
This is probably where I’ll be on Sunday.   This is a sprint adventure race with mountain biking, kayaking, and trekking.  Total distance is 20km and 175 people will be on the start line in Deep Cove.  Lisa Richardson and her team have raised over $445,000 in the past four years for ALS and they hope to have another big year of fundraising.  You must raise at least $350 to race.  For more info, go to www.alsadventure.com

Wednesday, June 11th — Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club in the Delta Watershed
Who wants to join me for some orienteering training?  The GVOC’s WET series comes to the Delta Watershed on Wednesday night and I’ll be there. The session starts at 6:30pm.  AND if you want to meet for a XC mountain bike ride before the race, send me an email and we can meet up at 4:30pm. For more info, go  to www.orienteeringbc.ca/gvoc/

Thursday, June 12th – MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series presented by Helly Hansen
The 4th race in the 10 race series takes place off the shores of Vanier Park.  Come out and experience the fun of the Big Chop by paddling the 4km or 8km course. This is awesome training for the MOMAR and one of the best ways to spend a Thursday night.  The prize table is LOADED with schwag and you even get a free smokie and lemonade with your $8 entry fee — It’s the best deal in town.  Boat rentals are available.  Go to www.bigchop.ca for more details.

That’s all for now. I hope to see you out there, somewhere…

Cheers, Bryan Tasaka