Nowack Takes 10th Title at MOMAR Burnaby

News Release / 07.06.2012

June 5, 2012 - New Westminster, BC. The second annual Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) went off without a hitch on Saturday, beginning and ending Burnaby's Barnet Marine Park. Todd Nowack of Brentwood Bay landed his tenth overall MOMAR win, crossing the finish line at 4:20:06, just as adverse weather conditions set in.

"We started the day with great weather but thunderstorms, bringing hail and torrential rain, began just as Todd crossed the finish line, lasting for a few hours," recalls Race Director, Bryan Tasaka. "Racers were soaked and covered in mud when they crossed the finish line - all part of the adventure!"

Despite the unpleasant weather and the repeated ascents up Burnaby Mountain, fun was had by all. Nowack raved about the course that was put together by course designer, Gary Robbins adding that the super fun orienteering section, laid out by the Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club, really added to the quality of the event.

"Gary put together a terrific race course this year that really maximized the available terrain and provided a good balance of time in each of the disciplines," says Nowack. "There were several tough but satisfying sections on the course such as some killer single-track with Nicole's Trail and Gear Jammer,  making us climb Cardiac Hill not once but TWICE and the steeper than steep Watermain Trail which would see most racers hike-a-biking."

Nowack was impressed with the event, saying it was flawless from beginning to end. "Everything about the day was professional with a well-organized volunteer crew, a great start/finish location and a fantastic venue for the post-race banquet awards and after-party," says Nowack. "When you attend a MOMAR, you really get the full deal experience and will leave physically and mentally satisfied (and/or shattered!), and will be already looking forward to the next one - I know I am! "

Bart Jarmula of Revelstoke was a close second, crossing the finish line at 4:31:31. Victoria's Hayden Earle was third overall with a time of 4:54:08, followed by Norm Thibault of Nanaimo (5:17:30).

Vancouver's Mike Rascher, an Olympic Gold medalist in rowing (Barcelona, 1992), came in fifth overall at 5:20:05 and first in the 'team of two - male' category, along with teammate Geoff Huenemann, also of Vancouver. North Vancouver's Justine Simmons and Cristina Piccone placed first in the 'team of two - female' category at 6:31:37.

First in the 'team of four' category and sixth place overall (5:31:48) was team Precision Tree Services, comprising Victoria's Chris Urquhart and Barry Duplantis, Jesse Wheeler of Courtenay and Ryan Clozza of Vancouver.

The Enduro Course included 10km of kayaking, 6km of trekking, 18km of mountain biking, a 7km orienteering stage through the SFU campus, followed by another 6km of biking then a 3km orienteering run. The 30km Sport Course included all the same elements, just 20km shorter.

Victoria's Gord Webster and Paul Hooper placed first overall in the Sport Course with a time of 3:54:53. New Westminster's Chad and Jennifer Oatway came in second overall at 4:16:49, followed by team Go Mama Go - Maude Leduc of Halfmoon Bay and Lisa Allen of Sechelt (4:31:14).

The race course took participants up and around Burnaby Mountain, around SFU, then winding back down to Barnet Marine Park. The exact course route was only known to racers on race day, about an hour before the race began.

The 200 plus racers and volunteers headed to Burnaby from Washington State, Oregon and all over BC.

The final MOMAR event of the year returns to the historic mining town of Cumberland on September 22^nd.

For more information on the MOMAR series, visit www.mindovermountain.com