They come in threes – National records fall to vegan power

The food scientist previously held the 5 km record for the 55-59 age category following a 21:59 run. Three years later she took a sizeable chunk off it when she finished in 21:40 at The Marathon Project.

She felt that the training was not ideal and she navigated a stressful work period. Although she managed the factors within her control, including effective training at every session.

“I stayed in it even when I had to rush through workouts to get to work or just had to squeeze in workouts if/when I could” she told Great Vegan Athletes. “Sometimes on tired legs, over time I built physiological resilience AND mental toughness.”

Anabelle was keen to credit her coach Dr Jeff Messer. She also stressed that nutrition was 100% wholefood and vegan.

Versatility

Anabelle is known for adapting to different distances including track athletics, and the records come alongside two other records she recently broke. Both were her own. Her 45:49 Run the Bridge 10k took 16 seconds off her previous. She also took 35 seconds off the 8 km record at the Rothman 8 k, coming in at 35:59.

Both were courses certified by USATF.

Vegan runner

Anabelle has been vegan since 2010, motivated largely by her experience as a food scientist.

“I have been in the places where animals are raised and slaughtered, I have seen the highly processed food production, I have walked hundreds of food manufacturing plants I have also walked many acres of fields where actual food is grown, and have seen the negative environmental impacts of animal agriculture.

“My food and lifestyle choices are based on science”.