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Campbell River man rides race in brother’s memory

The Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) celebrated the end of their twelfth season this past Saturday in Cumberland
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Steven Crerar negotiates the course during Saturday’s MOMAR race in Cumberland. The Campbell River man dedicated his race to his late brother.

The Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) celebrated the end of their twelfth season this past Saturday in Cumberland. Campbell River’s Steven Crerar participated as a solo racer for the first time this year, with his brother’s memory at his side. The two brothers raced the MOMAR Cumberland together four years in a row. In October of last year, 29-year-old Bryan Crerar was killed by a drunk driver while riding his skateboard. This year, Steven decided to continue the tradition to honour both his brother and the love of the sport that his brother passed onto him. “He [Bryan] pushed me into it just to get me out,” says Steven. “It was really fun so I kept doing it and getting a little better every year. He was my motivation. He still is but in a different sort of fashion. It meant a lot to me to finish this year.” When asked if he will be back to race again, Steven says, “I’m hooked now. I can’t not do it.” Steven crossed the finish line at 5:33:46, one of the top times of the day. “Steven had a remarkable race but missed getting one of the checkpoints in the orienteering course,” says MOMAR Race Director, Bryan Tasaka. “I don’t think he realized that he missed it as he could have gone back out and found it with enough time to get back and claim a third place finish in the solo male category. We sure hope he’ll be back next year.” Team Island Chix, Amber Zirnhelt and Wendy Ravai of Campbell River, placed first in the team of two, female category, completing the 50 km Enduro course in 6:58:53. Campbell River’s team, Taking Care of Business, consisting of Jerry Loeb, Jim Proctor, Mattias Morrisson and Jeff Beselt, placed third in the team of four, male category, coming in at 6:58:33. Winning his ninth MOMAR title, Todd Nowack of Brentwood Bay came in first overall for the Enduro Course, crossing the finish line at 4:52:02. Team Renegades of Gunk, Hayden Earle and Roger Macleod of Victoria, came in second overall and first in the team of two categories, with a time of 4:58:13. Jeremy Grasby of Cumberland was third overall coming in at 5:04:59. Courtenay’s Genevieve Burdett was the first solo female racer to cross the finish line at 5:29:36, finishing an impressive fourth overall. With both the Enduro and Sport Courses combined, there was a total of 275 racers at the start line. Race stages included kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, bushwhacking and orienteering through 27 checkpoints on Comox Lake and Cumberland trails. Over $3,400 was raised by MOMAR this year for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, bringing the combined total to over $20,500. More information on racing, volunteering, MOMAR training clinics and their official charity is available at www.mindovermountain.com/momar or by calling 1-866-912-3331.