“It’s possible” follows 87-year-old vegan runner Paul Youd as he attempts 100 ultra-marathons before his 100th birthday.
An 87-year-old vegan ultra-marathon runner is attempting 100 ultra-marathons before his 100th birthday, and a new film documents his remarkable journey. The inspiring new vegan documentary is set to premiere on YouTube this month, following an octogenarian runner as he pursues a seemingly impossible goal.
Paul Youd, aged 87, has completed over 25 ultra-marathons and is now aiming to hit 100 before his 100th birthday. While many might consider such an ambition beyond the grasp of someone his age, Paul’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved, particularly with a vegan lifestyle.
The film, entitled IT’S POSSIBLE – Paul Youd, Ultra-Marathons at 87, chronicles Paul’s attempt at a particularly challenging 50km ultra-marathon around the city of Bath. Organised by Ultra Challenge, the course featured steep climbs and 1000m of elevation.
Supported on the day by members of Vegan Runners UK and Running on Plants, Paul pushed himself further by performing 25 pushups at each checkpoint along the route.
Who is Paul Youd?
Paul has been vegan for more than 22 years, making the switch in his mid-60s after learning about animal agriculture and the treatment of animals. That decision, rooted in ethics, has since supported his health and fuelled his passion for endurance sport. His achievements challenge the common misconception that a vegan diet cannot sustain extreme athletic pursuits.
Paul only took up running less than five years ago, during lockdown. With outdoor events cancelled, he started by running loops in his back garden for months on end before progressing to organised races. Since then, he has gone on to complete a mix of official events and self-supported ‘virtual’ ultras close to his home in Taunton.
He has attempted the gruelling 100km distance twice, reaching 75km before falling in the middle of the night, but continues to test his limits. His most recent finish was the 50km Thames Path Challenge, completed in just over 12 hours.
Paul’s long-term plan is to complete an ultra-marathon every couple of months, combining organised events with virtual challenges, so that his 100th ultra coincides with his 100th birthday.
Behind the vegan ultra-marathon documentary
The vegan ultra-marathon documentary was created by Kelp and Fern, a filmmaking project dedicated to telling stories of endurance, nature, and plant-based living.
Martin Larsen-Jones, the filmmaker behind Kelp and Fern, has been producing documentaries for over a decade, focusing on trail and mountain running, wildlife, and vegan athletes. This latest work is his 14th film, created to inspire people to connect with the natural world and show what’s possible on a plant-based lifestyle.
Explaining the motivation behind the project, Martin said Paul’s story “challenges assumptions about age, endurance, and lifestyle” and carries a powerful message: that “it’s possible to be a vegan and thrive.”
Original source: https://www.veganfoodandliving.com
https://www.animalagricultureclimatechange.org/vegan-athletes/
