As a vegetarian athlete myself, I greatly admire vegan ultramarathon legend Scott Jurek (pronounced “Yurek”). Scott began eating a vegetarian, whole foods diet in 1997 then transitioned to veganism in 1999. He was concerned not only about his health but also about the environment. Most people are left in utter shock upon learning that Scott competes in 8-10 ultramarathons per year on a 100% animal-free diet (no eggs, no dairy, no meat, no animal by-products). His website states that all 7 of his consecutive wins at the most prestigious ultramarathon in the world, the Western States 100, were performed on completely plant-based fuel!

 
Scott Jurek began trail running as a child in the woods of northern Michigan. Although he competed on junior high and high school cross country teams, he didn't start to really build up his mileage until his sophomore year when he competed in nordic ski racing. He ran his first 50 mile event at age 20. Also, Scott has a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy and currently lives in Seattle.

 
Scott attributes meeting his wife Leah for his diet changes. Leah was a big fan of Andrew Weil’s books Spontaneous Healing and Eating Well for Optimum Health. Scott's big eye-opener came when he read Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman. Scott says, “This book really opened my eyes to the factory farming nightmare and how unhealthy it was for me, the animals, and the environment. I was so inspired after reading this book that I committed to cutting out all animal products from my diet from that point on."

The amazing thing about Scott Jurek is not so much that he's a vegan ultra-marathoner, but that's he's a world-class, legendary ultra-marathoner. Scott is the only North American to win the Spartathlon (153 miles from Athens to Sparta). He set the course record in the Hardrock Hundred, a Colorado race with a 33,000 foot elevation gain, considered the most difficult hundred-mile trail run. He also set a course record on “the toughest footrace on earth,” the Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney in 130 degree temperature). This is just a part of what makes Scott Jurek a true champion!