running on plants for 10 days non-stop
The ultra champion ran over 28 standard marathons in 10 days and nights to take second place at the 2026 Xiamen 10-day race
Mongolian Budjargal Byambaa has a love of the fixed-term ultramarathon – when runners race for days rather than for a specific distance. The aim is to cover as much ground as possible in the time allowed. Not only does this type of race challenge your stamina but, with no clear finish line, it is a true test of your mettle.
In 2019, the former world 48-hour champion won the six-day event but since then Budjargal decided running for six days straight wasn’t enough and has now ran seven 10-day races, always completing at least 690 miles.
This year, the 43-year old finished after covering 1207.8 km (750 miles), and taking second place, behind winner Cheng Yan-Chun.
Running on natural raw foods
Budjargal has been vegan since January 2019 when he discussed nutrition with a doctor. He moved to plants only after agreeing that the “naturally suited food for [the] human body is not animal related food, it is plant-based food.”
His incredible endurance is usually fuelled by natural raw foods, and he sees running as a spiritual discipline.
“Veganism is the right choice for me, it improves my physical strength” he says. “It helps me to transcend my physical self, moving to the next stage of my spiritual development and growth.”
Content sourced and adapted, with permission, from Great Vegan Athletes.
About the author
Nicholas Hallows
Nicholas has been vegan since the early 2000s and worked for Viva! between 2017 and 2020 as a Senior Administrator and Web Content Assistant. He is a qualified teacher, specialising in Language and Literacy, and an accredited Proofreader and Editor. He is now a freelance writer covering topics including veganism, mindfulness and minimalism.
