Sponsored by Topo
There aren’t many people who can say they discovered ultrarunning after meeting a few legends of the sport on a 10-day trek in the Arctic Circle. But that’s exactly what happened when Sandi Nypaver overslept one fateful morning in college.
Nypaver dove headfirst into the sport of ultrarunning. Signing up for her first 100-miler in 2010 at age 21, she became a running coach just four years later, working with athletes who are “committed to improving and want to do so in a way that supports long-term health and joy in the sport.” Because she knows how finding something you love can change your life.
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Nypaver ran for fun, taking her twin sister on 2-hour-long runs in middle school. As a college athlete – Nypaver played basketball – she wanted something more, and after oversleeping one day, she turned on the radio and heard about an opportunity to become a youth ambassador for the organization, impossible2Possible (i2P). She applied and was accepted.
The mission of i2P is “to encourage everyone to reach beyond their perceived limits, and use adventure-based learning programs to educate, inspire and empower young people all over the world.” So, it only made sense that Marshall Ulrich and Ray Zahab would be a couple of the ultrarunners guiding the trip.
Once Nypaver returned from the i2p trek, she quit playing college basketball and signed up for her first ultra: the Mohican 100 in her home state of Ohio. After spending that much time with ultrarunners like Ulrich and Zahab: “It totally changed my life,” said Nypaver. “They only talked about these crazy ultras. I thought ultrarunning was running 100 miles-plus.”
Finding a passion for the sport led Nypaver to the start of her own coaching business. “It’s part of who I am, because I love helping people so much,” she said, having gained knowledge and experience after years in the running world. “You can have big goals and train really hard for them, but also, stay in love with what you’re doing,” said Nypaver. That love of the sport has continued to keep her excited about helping others and running long in the mountains.
As an ultrarunner for over 15 years, she has watched the sport shift in unique ways. From vocalizing the need to change the World Mountain Running team to offer equal spots for both men and women, and more attention on female athletes, to betting on races, she appreciates that there are numerous ways to participate in ultrarunning. “It’s fun to see things change in such a positive way, and also have more focus on women in general,” said Nypaver.
Nypaver and her partner, ultrarunner Sage Canaday, are both building back after a five-year period that included Nypaver losing a sibling to cancer, as well as having the couple’s condo burn down in a fire. Canaday also experienced a pulmonary embolism that damaged his lungs, and Nypaver’s training was sidelined due to leg issues during that time. Each felt as though they’d lost some of their best running years. However, when asked about their future plans, “We’re both happy where we are, and focusing on what we love. We both just have so much fun training,” she said.
Looking ahead, Nypaver is planning to enjoy training and stay focused this year. After wins at both Zane Grey 50-mile and Grindstone 100k in 2025, she is training for UTMB – her first time running the world championship event. “I do like challenging myself and seeing what my body can do,” she said. “I really do think everything stems from my love of the outdoors. When I’m outside, I feel most at home – especially in the mountains.”
As a Topo-sponsored athlete for eight years, Nypaver seems to have found a clear path forward. And, as someone who discovered the sport from true ultrarunning legends, she has carved her own place in ultrarunning – not only as a top athlete, but as a coach who helps others by sharing what she loves.