Catamount Trail Association

The length of Vermont on skis

Home / Events / Race to the Top of Vermont – Spotlight on Sal Acosta

Race to the Top of Vermont – Spotlight on Sal Acosta

Posted

This week’s Race to the top of Vermont Spotlight is on Sal Acosta. Alongside his wife and seven kids, Sal has found that one of the best ways to bring his large family together is by running and biking together. “From early on when the younger one’s were spectators ringing those cow bells loudly as we came by, to more recently when seven of us participated in the Burlington Marathon. Our hope is to have all nine of us participate in an event in the next five years. We also enjoy the Spartan races as a way to work as a team in reaching the finish line.” 

Sal (113) at the start of teh RTTOVT with his kids Zachary (114), Caitlin (115), and Casarah (116).
Sal (113) at the start of the RTTOVT with his kids Zachary (114), Caitlin (115), and Casarah (116).

Name: Sal Acosta
Hometown: Montpelier, VT
Occupation: Quality Assurance with the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory

CTA: You’ve participated in RTTOVT for the past two years now, what first got you interested in this race?
SA: A coworker and I were having a conversation around mountain biking, and he brought up the RTTTOVT. The idea of a completely uphill race was something I had not heard of before. Our race schedule consisted of marathons and half-marathons, so I wanted to experience this all up hill event. I initially planned on biking up it, but ended up running because that fit in well with our normal training.
 
CTA: What do you do to train for the 4.3 mile race up Mt. Mansfield?
SA:  The Burlington Marathon is our first full marathon for the year. By June we are in pretty good shape. We add in more biking and as many hills as we can find between the Burlington Marathon and the RTTTOVT. Last year we were fortunate enough to get in two dry runs going up the course which definitely made a difference in becoming familiar with the road.
 
Part of the Acosta family participating in a Spartan Beast event at Killington for a second time in 2015.
Part of the Acosta family participating in a Spartan Beast event at Killington for a second time in 2015.
 
CTA: The Burlington Marathon is in the end of May, what does your family do up until that point to stay in shape? 
SA: Running is our primary activity. We will start training for the Burlington Marathon as early as December. We have built up a good wardrobe for running at or below zero to help keep up our mileage. The kids are also able to get in some Nordic Skiing at school.
 
CTA: Gear question…..what will your family be sporting for the day of the race?
SA: We use our distance running shoes because they are light. A good light weight shirt and hat to block the sun and keep our head cool. Pretty basic.
 
CTA: What is your best “life” advice, either advice you’d give others, or that someone has given you along the way?
SA: After my first marathon DNF (did not finish), a good friend told me getting to the starting line was a huge accomplishment and that I should be very satisfied with accomplishing that. Following a marathon training plan involves taking really good care of yourself. Eating right, getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, managing your time well to fit in all the required runs, and constantly refining all these activities. I agree that anyone standing at the starting line of a race can pat themselves on the back for accomplishing everything they have to be at that place. 
 

Every August the North Face Race To The Top Of Vermont draws as many as 800 hikers, bikers, and runners from across the U.S. and Canada to climb Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. The course climbs up the historic Mansfield Toll Road, is 4.3 miles in length, and climbs 2564 ft. For some it’s all about trying to achieve a fast time up this tough 4.3 mile course. For others… they come to test themselves, and to enjoy the spectacular views. 

No matter why you came, for everyone the North Face Race To The Top Of Vermont is about supporting the Catamount Trail Association and all of the good work they do. This event is their largest fundraising event of the year. So, while you’re out there challenging yourself, know that 100% of the money raised at this event goes to support the Catamount Trail and backcountry skiing and riding here in Vermont!

Interested, but don’t want to race? Volunteer at the RTTOVT to help us get all of our ducks in a row.

Sign-up for our Email Newsletter