Primal Quest has been called the Crown Jewel of Adventure Racing, living up to this name in both quality of race and financial expenditure. Recent decisions by Bill and Denise Watkins (founders of PQ) and Don Mann and Dawn Taylor-Mann (Director and Chief Operations Officer of PQ) will give this legendary race an opportunity to continue its billing as the greatest adventure race as well as change the financial structure so that it may remain viable in 2008 and beyond.

Primal Quest:
Primal, adj, first, original, primitive, first in importance: fundamental;
Quest, n, search, pursuit, a chivalrous enterprise in medieval romance usually involving an adventurous journey.

The Primal
Don Mann and Dawn Taylor-Mann, have assembled a team that defines Primal Quest. Having created one of the oldest and most respected Adventure Racing institutions in the world, Odyssey Adventure Racing, Don and Dawn have been producing adventure races for 10 years. They were one of the first companies dedicated to seeing this sport succeed. Alongside Don and Dawn, many passionate, knowledgeable, skillful, and kind people also dedicated themselves through volunteering and being a part of race management over the years for hundreds of races. Many of these people will be supporting Primal Quest 2008.

The Quest
Striving to maintain the highest quality expedition-level adventure race with a streamlined budget reaches deeply into the meaning of the medieval origins of a quest. The assembled Primal Quest 2008 team are individuals who embody the ideals & virtues associated with chivalry: trustworthiness, respect, integrity, passion, self discipline, determination, courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith, hope, perseverance, patience, wisdom, kindness, endurance, and friendliness. They are people who are leaders in their areas of expertise who have all fallen in love with adventure racing. When these folks come together, as many of them did for Primal Quest 2006, their virtues shine and the result is an unforgettable and amazing adventurous journey.

We are pleased to introduce the Primal Quest 2008 team:

Don Mann, Director, Primal Quest (Course Director, PQ 2006).A retired Navy SEAL, American Adventure Racing Pioneer, and co-founder of Odyssey Adventure Racing. Don has staged more multi-day, multi-sport races than any other individual in the world. Don has the courage, faith, and perseverance to keep Primal Quest going as the greatest adventure race in 2008 and for years to come.

Dawn Taylor-Mann, Chief Operations Officer, Primal Quest, (Course Operations Director, PQ 2006). With a degree in Journalism, and 15 years in the financial industry as a project manager, Dawn understands how to get things done. She was the Operations Director for Expedition BVI (2001), Operations Director Odyssey Adventure Racing (1999-2005) and has helped produce over 100 multi-sport races. Dawn has the patience and wisdom necessary to make Primal Quest run smoothly and successfully.

Chris Caul, Course Director, Primal Quest (Course Designer, Logistics Director, PQ 2006). In addition to being a stay-at-home dad, Chris has been an Odyssey Adventure Racing Academy Instructor, the Course Designer- Odyssey Off Road Ironman, and Co-Director Odyssey New Balance Mega Dose. Chris has the endurance, friendliness, and mercy to provide the direction and support necessary to create an unforgettable race.

Danelle Ballengee, Race Management, Primal Quest. Danelle is a Coach, Personal Trainer, Endurance Sport Instructor, Event Coordinator/Race Director and Adventure Athlete. Having won several hundred endurance races in a variety of disciplines, she is often referred to as the winningest endurance athlete in the world. Danelle’s passion for fitness and endurance sports, combined with her knowledge in kinesiology, sports psychology and sports nutrition, make her a figurehead in the world of adventure sports. Danelle brings honor, hopefulness, and determination to the Primal Quest team.

Chris Rumohr and Jamie Webster, Directors of Competitor Relations, Primal Quest (race management, PQ 2006). Chris and Jamie are the Co-founders of the A-List, the National Capital area’s largest and most active informational clearinghouse for adventure racing. Chris is a paralegal specializing in civil litigation and Jamie is a finance specialist. Both Chris and Jamie have participated in hundreds of races of a variety of disciplines and have coached and provided consulting services for adventure racing enthusiasts. Chris and Jamie have the good cheer, helpfulness, and courtesy needed to assist the competitors in 2008.

Doctor George Wortley, Medical Director, Primal Quest. Dr. Wortley helped with course design and medical coverage of Odyssey Adventure Racing’s first event and every Odyssey event since then. In addition to a long list of professional accolades and responsibilities (including: Director, rural medicine clinic in Virginia; clinical assistant professor of family medicine, UVA; operation medical director for two rescue squads; fellow, American College of Sports Medicine), Dr. Wortley has competed in many ultra-endurance events and most recently won the Mid-Altlantic MedWAR (Medical Wilderness Adventure Race in 2007). Dr. Wortley has been a medical director for many races over the past decade and he has the trustworthiness, respect, and kindness needed to lead the medical team at PQ 2008.

Dr. Bill Webster, Medical Director, Primal Quest. Dr. Bill has been with Primal Quest since its inception: medical team member, 2002 Telluride; associate medical director, 2003 Tahoe; associate medical director, 2004 San Juan Islands; medical director, 2006 Utah). He practices emergency medicine at a trauma center in Northern California, and is the co-founder and director of AdventureMed, LLC. Dr. Bill became an Eagle Scout at the age of 14 and hasn’t stopped enjoying the outdoors since! As a member of our medical team, Dr. Bill will share his wisdom, tenderness, and sincerity to keep everyone moving safely and happily.

Tim Soyars, RN, Medical Services, Primal Quest. Tim has provided medical support for every Odyssey race since the first one in 1997. In addition to his duties in the AR world, He is an National Registered EMT-Paramedic with a over twenty-seven years experience as a career provider in military, loaw enforcement and civilian emergency medicine. Tim is also a Registered Nurse for the Department of Emergency Services at Lynchburg General Hospital. Tim has the integrity, helpfulness, and selflessness to support the Primal Quest medical team.

Lorie Falk, Psy.D., Crisis Management Team, Board of Appeals, Primal Quest (mobile HQ Director, Primal Quest 2006). Lorie has been an independent consultant in the field of psychology since 1993. Her work experience includes: University of Maryland College & Center for Creative Leadership/National Leadership Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine & Kennedy Krieger Institute Pediatric Consultation Service, Co-Facilitator of Outward Bound team-building programs and “Adventure Racing 101” Clinics, Co-Developer and Trainer for outdoor leadership training & team building programs, and crisis intervention group leader. Lorie brings sincerity, valor and ethics to the Primal Quest 2008 team.

Will Ramos, Director of Web Services, Lead Photographer, Primal Quest. For the past 6 years, Will has dedicated his life to the art of photography and has become a dominant and noted figure in capturing and documenting the essence of Adventure Racing. His talent, devotion and professionalism is evidenced by his features in world-wide publications and as lead photographer for some of the top Adventure Racing companies on the East Coast. Will brings patience, wisdom, and perseverance to this Primal Quest team.

Brian Knight, Media Relations, Assistant Photographer, Primal Quest (Co-Director of Operations, Primal Quest 2006). Since the year 2000 Brian has spent way too much of his free time learning the ins and out of adventure racing, both from the operations side and as a racer. He is also an accomplished photographer whose photos have appeared in national media outlets as well as several recent art shows. When not hanging out at races you might find Brian on the river working on his kayak roll, downtown Washington, DC taking photos of the sights, or in a bookstore feeding his reading habit. Brian’s kindness, helpfulness, and respect are qualities he brings to Primal Quest.

Christina Moon, Volunteer Director/Grassroots Sponsor Director, Primal Quest (Bike Director, Primal Quest 2006). Christina has spent the past 9 years guiding from the West Coast to the East Coast in disciplines such as rock climbing, Class V whitewater rafting, mountain biking, team building, and wilderness therapy for adjudicated youth. She is an accomplished athlete and has management experience in business and marketing. Christina’s knowledge & skills compliment her love for the great outdoors. She embodies the virtues of happiness, friendliness and perseverance.

Jon Clark, Race Management, Primal Quest. Since 2000, Jon has been involved in adventure racing as a volunteer, volunteer coordinator, support crew person, competitor, and as an integral part of race management for over 60 races. His background in engineering, flying planes, and business administration compliments his pursuits in extreme sports. Jon’s generosity, wisdom, and good cheer will make him an effective team member of Primal Quest.

Bill Davis, Race Management, Primal Quest (Remote Headquarters Team, Primal Quest 2006). Bill, a former marine, retired college professor, amateur radio operator and Nationally Registered Wilderness EMT, has been involved with Adventure Racing since 1999. In 2000 he joined the Odyssey Adventure Racing staff and since then has performed a wide variety of duties, including: Assistant Race Director, Race Medic, course designer, race management, logistics, communications, and checkpoint manager. His pursuits of world travel, long distance motorcycling, ocean sailing and sailplane piloting lend themselves well to all aspects of adventure racing. He brings honor, valor, and nobility to the Primal Quest team.

Jerry & Sherry Simpson, Course Operations, Primal Quest (Transportation Director & Coordinator, Primal Quest 2006). Jerry & Sherry have participated in over 60 adventure races since 2003, performing duties such as volunteer coordinators, management staff, sponsors (Jerry & Sherry developed and sell SportRaxx by Simpson), checkpoint managers, course designers and race directors. This husband & wife team brings their great love of the outdoors and an amazing ability to get things done and done right, back to Primal Quest in 2008. Their kindness, patience, and determination will continue to be assets to our team.

Greg Vogel, Race Management, Primal Quest (Co-Director of Operations, Primal Quest 2006). Greg was an integral part of the PQ 2006 team, bringing a wealth of technical expertise, as well as years of race management experience from his work with Odyssey Adventure Racing. This year, Greg will serve as a consultant, and will continue to contribute his talents on the race management team.

Photo by Corey Rich/Sidelight

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