Tailwind Athlete Sarah Ostaszewski: Long-Distance Specialist

Sarah Ostaszewski is what you would call a long-distance specialist. A seasoned ultrarunner with an unmatched determination, she holds the course record at the Moab 240 and is now chasing her 1,000-mile buckle at Cocodona. Born in Indiana but now calling Durango, CO, home, Sarah thrives in the mountains, where her strong will and "cool as a cucumber" attitude make her a force in the world of endurance racing. And if you think you’re seeing double out on the trails, you just might be—Sarah has a twin sister, Melissa, who shares her adventurous spirit. Matching her vibe and energy is her bestie and the love of her life, Freddy,a doberman-border collie mutt who loves running as much as Sarah. 

How did you discover Tailwind? 

It was after my first run across the Grand Canyon in 2020. My twin sister, Melissa, and I had joined a group of friends in Arizona to complete the Rim to Rim to Rim—one of the most transcendent runs in the world. We hadn’t brought nearly enough snacks in our packs, so the climb out felt brutal. It dawned on me that, when you have access to water mid-run, you can easily carry more calories in the form of a drink mix! From then on, I started using the single-serve packets of Tailwind—easy to carry, easy to sip, and subtle flavor that always tasted refreshing. I was hooked!

What do you like to do when you aren’t running? 

Outside of running, I like planning trips—for better or for worse, most of my trips revolve around running. I also enjoy biking and hiking, trying different recipes or restaurants, and of course playing with my dog, Freddy. I have a background in fine art, so I do really enjoy painting, drawing and crafts.

Any races or goals you are looking forward to this year? 

Yes! I’m really looking forward to covering 1000 miles on the Cocodona 250 course this May. I’ll be returning for my fourth year there, which might seem excessive, but it’s just such a fun experience. I’m also looking forward to: pacing my twin, Melissa, at Western States 100; pacing and crewing Kyle Curtin at Hardrock 100; and hopefully racing something in the Alps later this summer.

If you could develop any Tailwind flavor, what would it be? 

Tailwind has previously tried a ginger lime flavor for the high-carb mix, but I would like to develop a spicy ginger pomegranate with lime flavor that has some light carbonation. It would have to be SPICY!

Cover Photo: Howie Stern