FINAL
RESULTS (pdf) PHOTOS
FROM THE RACE
That's
the motto now branded to the weekend's festivities at the Mind Over Mountain
Adventure Race (MOMAR). As racers arrived at the Riding Fool Hostel for mandatory
registration, the first step in the check-in process was to grab a cold pint of
Piper's Pale Ale. Not a bad start to the race so far!
This
was the final MOMAR of the 2004 season and it all wrapped up in the historic mining
town of Cumberland, BC, on Vancouver Island. A record crowd of 215 racers showed
up to tackle the 40km course that was filled with great single-track, spectacular
paddling, tricky navigation and even some yoga, swimming, and a wedding!
Racers
passing through a marsh. Paddlers making their way through some pilings. Marcy
Bennett and Christy Love swim to the finish. Team Helly Hansen's Denis Fontain
and Dave Howells. (Click to enlarge. Photos by Tony Austin)
The
sun was out and it was another warm fall day fall day. The race started in the
water with an 8km paddle on Comox Lake, followed by a 6-8km trek that had racers
self-navigate to seven checkpoints within a complex network of trails. Next racers
jumped back into their boats for a 2km paddle to the race central and to the start
of the 20km+ mountain bike stage. The bike stage came complete with a 20 minute
hike-a-bike and a ride on aptly named trails like Buggard Pig and Bucket of Blood.
Ron
Carmichael was having a great race and leading the race until he made the wrong
turn at CP 12 and ended up missing CP 13. An error that cost him a two hour penalty.
(Photo by Tony Austin)
As
racers came into the finish area, they were given the choice of either running
down the beach or swimming out to a swim dock for their final CP. Almost all of
the racers took the opportunity to cool off and so swim they did.
In
only his second MOMAR, Cumberland local Jeremy Grasby, became the new MOMAR champion
with a earth shattering time of 3:36:44 -- the fastest MOMAR time in history.
Grasby, who road the race using a single speed bike, had the fastest trek and
bike split. Click here to view the full
results.
Mystery
Event: Yoga poses. (Click to enlarge. Photos by Tony Austin)
The
race also featured another fun Mystery Event. Racers had to come up with an 'extreme
yoga pose' by the time they reached CP 8 where a camera would capture their creation.
I'm never sure how how these challenges will turn out but this one was a hit!
Click
here to check out all the photos.
Some
of the best teams with spirit. Clockwise from top left: Biker Chicks, Flying Elvis',
Au Coton, 2-BAD-A. (Click to enlarge. Photos by Tony Austin)
Judging
by the number of teams dressed up, fun was BIG part of the MOMAR. We had the Flying
Elvis, Pink Pony's and Sneaky Weasels, 2-BAD-A, Au Coton, and the Biker Chicks
who took home the overall Spirit Award (weekend at the Riding Fool Hostel and
a SUV rental from Budget).
We
were also honoured to have long time racers, Ina Kerckhoff and Ryan Ervin, incorporate
the MOMAR into their big day. After racing and taking home
third in the coed 2 category, they quickly changed and were married in a beautiful
ceremony on the beach of Comox Lake.
All
the teams finished in eight hours or less and then it was time to head up to Mt.
Washington Alpine Resort for the banquet and afterparty. Tons of great prizes
were given out including the grand prize of two Marin Cruiser Bikes and the Simon
River Wing Shark paddle.
After
a great buffet complete with roast beef, Chicken a la King with a solid variety
of salads, rice, and roasted potatoes (YUM), everyone headed downstairs for one
of the best afterparties in MOMAR's history. The dance floor was packed all night
with Roddy and Jarom playing race favorites like "Livin' on a Prayer"
and "Sweet Caroline" to wrap up the night.
What
a weekend! Great time, great friends, and many great memories. Thanks
to everyone for coming out!
Thanks!!!
Bryan
Tasaka
Race Director
FINAL
RESULTS (pdf) PHOTOS
FROM THE RACE
________________________________________________________
KUDOS!!!
Thanks
to all the amazing people that helped make the final race of the 2004 season a
huge success!
*
RACERS: A record crowd of 215 racers! Thanks!!! Special thanks to those that
made the trip from as far as Ontario, California, Hawaii, and Washington State!
*
SPONSORS:
Presenting: SISU
Gold: Frontrunners, Reckless
Cycles
Media: The Zone @ 91.3, Vancouver Island Newsgroup, 100.3 the
Q!
Silver: Helly Hansen, Marin Bikes, Simon River Sports, Bow-Mel Crysler,
Budget Car & Truck Rental, Seaward Kayaks
Bronze: Hammer Gel, Vancouver
Island Brewery, Ocean River Sports
Community: Old Victoria Water Co.,
Madrone Environmental Services
*
LANDHOLDERS: TimberWest, BC Hydro, Hancock Timber, Courtenay Fish and Game
Club, and the Village of Cumberland. Thanks for letting us run the race on your
property!
*
SAFETY TEAM: St. John Ambulance Brigade, Timonda Emergency Services, Comox
Valley Ground Search and Rescue, and the Cowichan Amateur Radio Society. You guys
are an invaluable asset to ensuring swift response to an injured or lost racer!
*
KAYAK OUTFITTERS: Alberni Outpost, Comox Valley Kayaks, Island Outdoor Centre,
Sealegs Kayaking, Vancouver Island Canoe and Kayak Centre, and Wilderness Kayaks.
What a huge service you provide to the racers by bringing boats down to the race
start! And thanks to all that donated such great prize packages!
*
PRE-RACE BIKE INSPECTION TEAM: Reckless Cycles, Urban Lemming, The Realm,
Dodge City Cycles, and Iguana Cycles (extra thanks to Matt and Dan at Dodge City
Cycles for doing the Friday Night inspection too!)
*
SPECIAL THANKS: Jeremy Grasby at the Riding Fool Hostel for hosting Friday
Night Registration; Rob Wood for bringing out your super fast boat; Collen and
Rob at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort for the great banquet dinner and afterparty;
Roddy Tasaka and Jarom Cohen for keeping the dance floor packed all night long;
Ernie Carson for all your help on Friday and Saturday; Paul German for your kickass
MC abilities; and Joanna Brownell for all your amazing support throughout the
season!
*
HEAD VOLUNTEERS: Wanda Miller, Al Munday, Birgit Reinders,Marc Cooney, Erin
Thompson, Mike Bryan, Tim Mitchell, Sandy Stewart, TJ, -- you guys did a fantastic
job of organizing your area and your team!
*
THE ENTIRE VOLUNTEER TEAM: To EVERYONE who lifted a finger to help with this
race, on behalf of the racers and management team we THANK YOU for coming out
and helping make the 4th Annual MOMAR a HUGE SUCCESS!!!
*
THE MOMAR TEAM: Aimee Dunn and Lisa Wolff -- You both did a truly amazing
job helping to organize another smooth event. Thanks you guys so much for all
your hard work!!!
FINAL
RESULTS (pdf) PHOTOS
FROM THE RACE
