The Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race
Comox Valley Team of Four Takes Top Spot at MOMAR Cumberland
Press Release / 29.09.2016
The Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) returned to Cumberland, BC on September 24, 2016, for its 17th season. Six hundred racers from near and far participated in the MOMAR, gathering on the shores of Comox Lake early Saturday morning to take on either the 50km Enduro Course or 30km Sport Course.
Tyler McCallan and Clay Ward of Cumberland, Derek Vinge of Courtenay and Brad Crowe, formerly from Courtenay, made MOMAR history in becoming the first team of four to take an overall win for the Enduro Course, crossing the finish line 4:25:23.
Typically, solo racers or teams of two are in top overall spots in adventure races like the MOMAR.
“Teammates must complete the race together,” says Race Director Bryan Tasaka. “Each racer has strengths and weaknesses, making the team as strong as the weakest link - fewer teammates, fewer weaknesses. The upside of racing with teammates, however, is that they typically encourage each other to push limits, and have a lot of fun doing so.”
Courtenay’s Sarah Seads placed first the solo female category, crossing the finish line at 5:15:02. Simon Lamond of Victoria was the first solo male to finish with a time of 4:44:10, also taking third place overall. Lamond was followed by Cumberland’s Carl Tessmann (4:53:36) and Nygil Goggins (4:55:48), also from Cumberland.
Tim Musselman Bell of Penticton and teammate Mat Hewitt of Vernon were the first team of two to cross the finish line, with a time of 4:39:12, putting them in second place overall. North Vancouver’s Marshall House and Christina Piccone placed first in the team of two, co-ed category (4:53:50) while Veronica Bartlett and Kirsty Stormer, also of North Vancouver, placed first in the team of two, female category (5:47:41).
Victoria’s Scott Sheldrake and Brett Carter took top spot in the Sport course, with a time of 3:31:28. Patricia Johnson and Ross Lamon of Comox were the first in the team of two, co-ed category (4:01:14), while Courtenay’s Kathy and Paige Campbell topped the team of two, female category (4:15:33).
The MOMAR has partnered with the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS), an organization dedicated to preserving 150 acres of mature forest bordering the Village of Cumberland, from Comox Lake to The Trent River. Over the MOMAR weekend, more than $3800 was raised for the CCFS.
The MOMAR is an off-road multisport sprint adventure race that requires participants to navigate their way to a series of checkpoints within an eight hour limit. The disciplines include mountain biking, paddling, orienteering and trail running over scenic and rugged west coast terrain. The MOMAR series has staged 37 races in British Columbia, Canada over 17 race seasons.
MOMAR’s sponsors include Atmosphere, Merrell, Frontrunners, Clif Bar, Lighthouse Brewing Co., Parkside Hotel & Spa, Riding Fool Hostel, Comox Valley Kayaks, Rider’s Pizza, Seeds Natural Food Market, Cumberland Lake Wilderness Society, Shady Spaces and Coal City Cycles.
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