Rather than ending up in the emergency room like he did last year, John Markez figured he’d try a different strategy at this year’s Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR).

And it worked, as the Vancouverite nabbed the top spot in the gruelling, three-tier competition.

Over 200 elite athletes from across the Canada and the U.S. made their way through the local professionally designed adventure course on Saturday (May 22), which included biking the Half Nelson Trail, rappelling down the Stawamus Chief and running through Garibaldi Highlands and downtown Squamish.

Despite losing four and a half minutes trying to find a lost map, Markez was the first participant to run through the O’Siem Pavilion Park finish area, ending the 50-kilometre enduro race with a time of 4:14:22.

Although Markez, a Vancouver General Hospital engineer, has raced in China, Mexico and throughout the U.S., he said the Squamish MOMAR course designed by Jen Segger was fantastic.

“They used a lot of new trails, so that made it interesting for a lot of people even if they’re from around here… and also a new orienteering area,” he said.

Markez said the mountain biking course was shorter than he’s used to but still top-notch quality.

“They picked a lot of good quality mountain biking trails. They did a really good job putting this together, they always do.”

Just over four minutes behind Markez was Revelstoke’s Bart Jarmula, who finished first last year in the enduro class. Although he said he had a good run, Jarmula admitted this race felt tougher for him.

“There was a lot of technical uphill climbing off the start, some steep mountain biking and the problem with that is once you’re red lining from the start then you’re suffering for a while.”

Top local participant Adrian Lasalle-Lowe battled cramping up in the second half of the race and a technical challenge to achieve his plan B.

Plan A was to stay with the front-runners, but after a bad crash resulted in a broken seat post, his aim became first place among Squamish racers.

Lasalle-Lowe finished third in the solo men’s class and fourth overall with a time of 4:35:36. The Vancouver firefighter said he’s happy with how he finished considering he decided to race three days prior to the event with practically no special MOMAR specific training.

Lasalle-Lowe, who has been racing in MOMAR since 2004, said he was really proud of all the local racers.

“I want to congratulate all the participants, especially all the locals who raced,” he said.

“And a big shout-out to the local business sponsors, Squamish volunteers, [race director] Bryan Tasaka and Jen Segger, for making the Squamish MOMAR a success.”

Other Squamish adventure racers in the 50-kilometre Euro class included L.J. Wilson and his Whistler teammate Kevin Hodder who finished sixth overall and second in the enduro two-man team category.

Squamish foursome Graham Schulz, Malcolm Schulz, Rob MacLeod and Mike Hedberg finished in 12th place over all but second in the four-man team category.

Squamish’s Heather Macintosh and her Calgary-based teammate Kealy Sweet were the first female team to complete the 30- kilometre sport course with a time of 5:03:32. Fellow locals Heather Bell and Stephanie Doran-Veevers were 22 minutes behind in second place.

Race director and event producer Bryan Tasaka said he’s very pleased with how the day long event went.

“It’s gone really, really well. To come back to Squamish and get support from the town and the community – that’s always great.”

For full MOMAR results visit www.mindovermountain.com.