Vegetarian Star

Vegan marathoner Scott Jurek is gearing up to compete in the Western States Endurance Run from June 27-28.

Jurek won seven consecutive titles from 1999-2005, then went on hiatus because he was looking for a different challenge.

As if the Western States Endurance Run wasn’t challenging enough. According to the organization’s website:

“The Run is conducted along the Western States Trail starting at Squaw Valley, California, and ending in Auburn, California, a total of 100 miles. The trail ascends from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4½ miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn.”

“Most of the trail passes through remote and rugged territory, accessible only to hikers, horses and helicopters.”

No problem for a guy who fills up on the beans and tofu, right?

Although Scott grew up in a fishing, hunting, and meat eating world, he later went vegan, and now the 6 ‘2″, 170 pound athlete lives a world of beans, legumes, lentils, and soy.

Wishing Scott the best of luck. Show ’em how vegans do it, man.

via sacbee.com

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Scott Jurek is an ultra marathoner who is featured in the October issue of Vegetarian Times, along with Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie.

Not only is he a vegan athlete, he is also a yoga man, and an instructor for a class he attended took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his lifestyle.

Jurek made his final decision to go vegan after a friend let him borrow, “Mad Cowboy,” by Howard F. Lyman, a former cattle rancher turned vegetarian.

“This book really opened my eyes to the factory farming nightmare and how unhealthy it was for me, the animals, and the environment,” he said.

And although turning veg has done great things for him, he’s cautious to anyone who thinks cutting out meat alone will make you healthy.

“It’s not like you wake up the next morning and feel ten times better. The changes are more gradual and you can see them better once you continue down the path for a while and then look back. In regards to competing and training I noticed my recovery times had shortened, that I was less injury prone, and had a higher level of energy. Above all, the major changes were in my relationship to food preparation and intake. I became very concerned not just about veganism, but about proper nutrition. I’ve come across many vegans who are still drinking soda pop. The point is you can be vegan and still have an unhealthy diet.”

Read the rest of the interview with Scott in Jai! Magazine.

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• PETA Names AT & T Park Most Veggie Friendly MLB Stadium
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