This week’s Race to the top of Vermont Spotlight is on Trina Hosmer. Trina has been a fixture at the RTTOVT, having participated since the very first event in 2007. Her smiling energy and strong competitive streak make her a stand-out racer to watch for each year. She also puts in time behind the scenes, volunteering to help out the day of the race, as if simply participating wasn’t enough! Trina has also been a longtime supporter of the Catamount Trail Association and is currently serving on the Board of Directors. We were lucky enough to get ahold of Trina via email while she was in Italy, just starting out on an epic bike trip in the Dolomites. Do we wish we were biking the Dolomites right now too?…of course we do.
Name: Trina Hosmer
Hometown: Stowe, VT
Occupation: Retired from UMASS
CTA: What do you do to train for the 4.3 mile race up Mt. Mansfield?
TH: I do bike trips in the Dolomites, Alps and Pyrenees in summer which certainly helps on doing this uphill challenge. **CTA side note –
CTA: With our obvious obsession with winter, we have to ask, what do you do to keep active in the colder months?
I am a cross-country ski racer and have been competing since 1968. I was on the first US women’s international ski team and went to World Championships in Czechoslavakia in 1970, Olympics in Sapporo, Japan in 1972 and World Championship in Falun, Sweden in 1974. I then retired from US ski team, had kids but have never stopped competing.
CTA: What has been your most memorable moment from a RTTOVT race?
TH: Every year my most memorable moment in RTTOVT is crossing the finish line.
CTA: Do you have a favorite post-event food or refreshment?
TH: My favorite post event refreshment is a cold beer.
CTA: Why do you choose to run, bike, or do both at the race?
TH: Until last year, when I turned 70, I did the run. But last year switched to biking because I now do so much biking in the summer in the mountains.
CTA: What is your best “life” advice, either advice you’d give others, or that someone has given you along the way?
TH: My advice to anyone wanting to do such an event is just to get out there every day and do something. As the famous runner Ron Clark said “the hardest thing about running is putting on the shorts everyday”.
CTA: Thanks Trina, any final thoughts?
TH: The RTTOVT is a great fundraiser for the CTA and great accomplishment to complete it, even if you hike, so just do it.
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!
Remember, registration prices will increase on July 1st, so sign up now to save some $$$.
Interested, but don’t want to race? Volunteer at the RTTOVT to help us get all of our ducks in a row.
