Trish Callerac of Osoyoos has accomplished some amazing feats since taking up competitive cycling less than two years ago. After finishing second in her age division last year, Callerac greatly improved her time and easily won her age division in the recent Axel Merckx Grandfondo cycling event in Penticton – an event that attracts more than 2,500 cyclists from across B.C. and around the world. (Keith Lacey photo)
To say Osoyoos’ Trish Callerac has excelled early in her career as a competitive cyclist would be a gross understatement.
Less than two years after taking up the sport at age 50, Callerac has proven herself to have much more than beginner’s luck.
At the recent Granfondo Axel Merckx in Penticton two weeks ago – a race that attracts more than 2,500 cyclists from across B.C. and around the world – Callerac turned in an outstanding performance easily winning the 50 and over age division for women in the Cortofondo race, which covers 55 kilometres.
The Penticton race features three different distances – Cortofondo (55 kilometres), Mediofondo (92 km) and Grandfondo (160 km).
Merckx is a former winner of the Tour de France is one of the world’s most famous cyclists. He has lived in Kelowna for years and has lent his name to help organize and sponsor what has become one of Canada’s largest cycling events.
In the 50-59 age division, Callerac finished close to three minutes ahead of the runner-up. She finished 14th overall, regardless of gender, and was the fourth woman to cross the finish line in the Cortofondo, regardless of age.
The only three females to beat her were teenagers.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw my time,” said Callerac. ‘I knew I had done a strong race and I felt good when I crossed the finish line. My goal was to win my age division and thought I had a good chance because the race went so well, but to win it by more than two-and-a-half minutes was pretty incredible.
“Finishing fourth overall against all the women in this distance is probably what I’m most proud of. The only three women to beat me were three teenage friends who are all experienced racers, so I am pretty proud of that.”
Born and raised in Vernon, Callerac and her family made the move to Osoyoos back in 1996 after buying a summer home here.
She is the former owner of Stedman’s and is the current owner of Strike The Pose, a woman’s clothing and accessories store that opened last March on Main Street in downtown Osoyoos.
Callerac says she started playing sports at a young age, played volleyball in high school and has been an active golfer for many years.
To ensure she kept in good shape, Callerac said she started attending spin classes at Breathe Studio at the Watermark Beach Resort about two years ago.
She “fell in love” with spin classes, saw her fitness level improve dramatically in a short period of time and decided to purchase a road bike.
After training for only a couple of months, she made the decision to enter last year’s race in Penticton.
“I thought that it would be fun to compete in such a large event,” she said. “I like to set targets and my goal was simply to do my best and see what happens.”
Incredibly, she finished second overall amongst women in her age division.
Admitting she has always been competitive, Callerac immediately set a goal to improve her time and hopefully win her age division.
Mission accomplished.
“I made it my goal to train harder and finish first in my age division,” she said. “I felt great heading into the race and everything went almost perfect. I improved my time significantly and won my age division, so all the training really paid off. I moved up 500 spots from where I finished last year and I’m very happy with that.”
Callerac trains regularly with good friend Roger Pires and their plan was to race together at the race in Penticton, but his bike got a flat tire early in the race, so she was on her own.
Managing her time has been a big key to success, says Callerac as she trains at least three times a week on her road bike, is an active golfer at Osoyoos Golf Club and works long hours running her business.
“I love to stay active and training is something I look forward to,” she said.
“It’s all a matter of priorities.’
Despite her success in competitive cycling, she doesn’t plan on making any significant changes to her training regiment or lifestyle, she said.
“I’m 52 now and pretty comfortable with the level I’m at now,” she said. “I love cycling and the training involved, but I don’t have any big plans to enter bigger races.
“I might consider moving up to the longer distance (mediofondo) next year, but that’s about it.”
The only regret she has about becoming a competitive cyclist is her golf game has suffered quite a bit, she said laughing.
“There’s no doubt cycling is getting bigger than golf,” she said.
Callerac doesn’t have any plans to compete in any other big races later this summer or fall, but will continue to train hard because it keeps her in tremendous shape and she loves “everything about it.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
