Nearly 700 racers took part in the Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR), Saturday at Comox Lake in Cumberland.
The off-road, multi-sport adventure race features a 50km enduro course and a 30k sport course. Participants navigate their way to a series of checkpoints within an eight-hour limit. It consists of mountain biking, paddling, orienteering and trail running.
Two of last year’s overall race winners, Graham Cocksedge of Powell River and Nygil Goggins of Cumberland, came back to defend their title. They topped the podium once again for the enduro, crossing the finish line at 4:41:12.
Nanaimo’s Justin Mark and Jeff Reimer, winners of the 2013 MOMAR, placed second in 4:42:12. Carl Tessman of Cumberland placed third overall and was first in the solo male category, coming in at 5:01:52.
Wendy Simms of Nanaimo was the first solo female racer to cross the finish line, with a time of 6:09:38.
Gary Robbins, multi-MOMAR winner and Barkley Marathon veteran, placed second in the solo male category and fourth overall with a time of 5:08:53.
Marilene Pomerleau of Comox and her teammates won the team of four female category (6:39:48).
Vancouver’s Jesse Crawford and Andrew Yathon were the overall winners of the sport course in 4:03:33. Brian Scott and Michael Toulmin of Courtenay placed second overall, coming in at 4:12:04.
Cumberland’s Tracy Barr and Jessica Wilson topped the team of two female category for the sport course (4:28:32).
Through various fundraising initiatives, MOMAR continues to support the Cumberland Community Forest Society, Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue, and the United Riders of Cumberland.
Comox Valley athletes and former MOMAR racers, Sarah Seads and Grant Dybdal, designed both courses this year. Seads and her team were in charge of designing the kayak, biking and trekking stages, while Dybdal created the orienteering courses.
“Their vast knowledge of the local terrain, plus their previous MOMAR experience, made Sarah and Grant ideal candidates for designing this year’s courses,” race director Bryan Tasaka said. “Racers crossed the finish line with fatigue but very satisfied smiles, just the way we like it.”