MOMAR is no more, at least here in Squamish. Our loss is Burnaby's gain. The Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race combined cross-country mountain biking, navigation, bushwhacking, orienteering, trail running and rappelling. Now, after a brief four-year stay, this cavalcade of endurance has fled town, like a thief in the night. The fallout from its departure has resulted in recriminations and second guessing.
A mere two years ago, the MOMAR Series was named Western Canada's "Best Adventure Race," and "Best Post-Race Party." Last April everything looked rosy when race director and event producer Bryan Tasaka told us that "Squamish has such amazing trail networks and terrain that it's an ideal location for an adventure race. What MOMAR does is really showcases what's great about Squamish."
After the race Tasaka said, "It's gone really, really well. To come back to Squamish and get support from the town and the community - that's always great."
Sponsors galore came out of the woodwork, including The Chief, The Whistler Question, Ryders eyewear, Frontrunners footwear, Berg Bikes, and Quest University, to name but a few.
So what shifted the balance in Burnaby's favour?
Tasaka asserts the $5 extra trail maintenance fee recently levied on each race participant by the District of Squamish was one of main culprits. But according to the Squamish Reporter and The Chief, a number of observers do not agree with that assessment, including Mayor Greg Gardner, Councillor Bryan Raiser, Test of Metal organizer Cliff Miller, and Squamish Trails Society President Bob Brant. They claim that a modest trail fee tacked onto the $140 participant entrance tab is a mere pittance for mountain adventure enthusiasts who are more than willing to support trails maintenance.
So let's cut to the quick here. Clearly, the good citizens of Burnaby made Tasaka a cash offer he couldn't refuse. When the race organizer and entrepreneur sold his product to the highest bidder, Squamish was suddenly left out of the equation.
And when everything is said and done, the MOMAR withdrawal is hardly a setback. It's an invitation to move forward. Instead of hand wringing and posturing, let's look at this as a golden opportunity to grow the outdoor recreation brand. Instead of depending on the whims of a non-resident middleman who will quickly place his and his event's interests above those of the community at large, why not take the bull by the horns and assume ownership of a similarly themed event locally? The DOS has a major stake in the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada moniker. Tourism Squamish has a mandate to push all the adventure activity buttons it can. We have a volunteer base second to none. We have more event organizing know-how and experience than any other outdoor recreation centre in the country. The Test of Metal and Loggers Sports are annual world-class productions that run like clockwork. We also have a proactive Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement Association.
There is still plenty of time; just put your heads together and make it happen, folks.
