Vegan runner achieves two more national records

Always keen to compete against the most challenging of opponents, Anabelle Broadbent has been competing at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships (WMAIC) in Florida.  She was one of 3300 athletes from 98 nations.

Anabelle already held seven national records at her previous age group of 50-54 and six at 55-59.  The versatile runner holds them at distances from 800 m to half marathon.  Looking at the standing records she felt she had a chance to challenge some of them and entered five distances.

3000 metres

In the 3000 metres, aiming to break a 15 year old record of 13:23:87, Anabelle took off a huge chunk when she finished in 12:57:37.

“Boom!….Not bad considering this is not even my event!” she says.   “I was still tired from a long trip the day before. I was so nervous….I know I can run 3000m faster!”

Anabelle also planned to attempt the 1500 metres, although a change of time meant this came after a prebooked flight.  She had to pull out.

10 km

Next was the 10k record (46:49)  – which she already held from 2022.  She finished in 46:06.

“It was a terrible course – not a record-setting course.”  It included a bridge four times and eight hairpin turns.

Anabelle stressed that her preparation has been well-organised, including positivity, meditation, sleep – and of course nutrition.

“Eat wisely. Lots of different plants! I have been focusing on increasing the diversity of plants I consume. I have also been trying lots of delicious new recipes! For the 10K race in warm and humid conditions in Florida, I had to get my hydration just right. I fuel my body with the best possible fuel for peak performance, paying close attention to not just the macronutrients but also micronutrients. Loading up on antioxidants and phytonutrients that help my recovery so that I can train at a high level… and compete in multiple events during the same week.”

Vegan powered

Anabelle has been vegan since 2010, making the change partly based on her experience as a professional food scientist.

“I have seen behind that veil, I know where food comes from” she explains. “I have been in the places where animals are raised and slaughtered, I have seen the highly processed food production…and have seen the negative environmental impacts of animal agriculture.”

World placings and a fantastic collection of national records – but Anabelle is not finished yet.

“I am determined to go back to the World Masters Athletics Championships and become a World Champion”, she says. “Next: 2026 Daegu, South Korea!”