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Canada's top racers set to do battle

The stage is set for Canada's top adventure racers to compete at the first ever Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) in Sechelt. On Saturday, June 12, teams will arrive from all over B.C.

The stage is set for Canada's top adventure racers to compete at the first ever Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) in Sechelt. On Saturday, June 12, teams will arrive from all over B.C. as well as from Ontario, Oregon and Washington state to take part in this challenging and exciting multi-sport off-road race that has competitors kayak, mountain bike and trail run over 40 km with only the aid of a map and compass.

The field includes Eco-Challenge racers Dave Norona and Sean Lunny who have each won the MOMAR title numerous times. The local team, Alpha Adventure, featuring Darren Quist and Trevor Chapman from Roberts Creek along with Carl Hofbauer and Glenn Kerr from Vancouver, will be strong contenders in the team-of-four category.

In addition to Team Alpha Adventures, local Sunshine Coast participants include Team Where's Dave (Marilyn Downey, Lorina Bates, Dave Bates and Dan Horn) from Halfmoon Bay and solo racer Malcolm Bryson from Sechelt.

"We are expecting over 150 racers for this event, which is a fantastic turnout for our first year in a new venue," says race director Bryan Tasaka. "The majority of racers are coming from off the Sunshine Coast, but we are really hoping more local racers sign up."

Even though adventure racing is relatively new to the Coast, people should know that the MOMAR is geared for both the beginner and the seasoned racer. People should not be afraid to give it a try, Tasaka added.

The MOMAR in Sechelt is the second race in a four-race series. Now in its fifth season, the MOMAR has races in Duncan, Ladysmith and Cumberland on Vancouver Island. The Ladysmith race drew over 300 racers last year and Tasaka believes that the Sechelt race will easily surpass that figure next year.

"We were very keen on expanding the series, and the Sunshine Coast could not be a better place to put on a race of this type," he said. "The terrain is truly unbelievable and the support from the local community has been phenomenal. The Sunshine Coast really knows how to get behind an event that has the capability to expose the Coast to a huge adventure tourism market."

Racers will begin arriving on Friday night for mandatory racer registration at the Seaside Centre. The race will start at Porpoise Bay Provincial Campground at 9 a.m. Spectators are welcome to come and watch the mass kayak start. The first team is expected to finish in four hours and the last team in over eight hours. The race will finish at the brand new Bayside Campground. This will also be the site of the infamous MOMAR after party which features a gourmet dinner put on by As You Like It catering and an outdoor dance party with DJs spinning well into the night.

Volunteers are still needed, especially anyone with a power boat who can perform water safety. Volunteers can call Bryan at 1-250-715-8933 or visit the website.

For more information, please see www.mindovermountain.com.