Paul Youd

Runner extraordinary!Paul Youd

You too could take part in a fitness challenge to raise funds for Viva!, go to actionchallenge.com, select the challenge you would like to complete and select Viva! from the drop down options of charities to support.

The 84-year-old ultramarathon runner talks to Jess Nagji-Nunn

Paul Youd is a phenomenon. Eighty-four years young, he is undertaking not one, not two, but THREE ultramarathons to raise vital funds for Viva! this summer. His goal was to raise £1,400 over the three events; a target he has already smashed with just one of the three events under his belt!

Far from being a life-long athlete, Paul only took up running in his eighties! He tells me: “When the first lockdown began, in March 2020, I figured I’d like to come out of it with a new skill and I thought running was maybe something I could do. I measured out a 20yard track on my back lawn and began to run round it; slowly at first, running up to a mile a day. After eight weeks, I was running 10k.

“As my stamina built up, I began to feel I could put this exercise to good use. I heard that animal sanctuaries were in dire straits and so I fundraised for Dean Farm Sanctuary (old friends of Viva!). I intended to run 100k over 10 days – 10k a day.

“I had anticipated that each day would be more and more tiring but with each run I was feeling stronger. So, I did a bit more each day, finished up with 110k and over £4,000 for Dean Farm Sanctuary.

“I’d tried running in my forties but stopped because of pain in my knees. But this time, at the age of 82, I had no twinges at all! I had given up all animal products in the early 2000s after looking at the dairy and chicken industry and not liking what I saw – so I went vegan. It had been painful to shake hands with my gnarled joints and fingers but after several months on being plantbased I was totally pain free. ”

Paul embarked on the 100k Jurassic Coast Challenge on May 14 and raised an incredible £1,401 for Viva! (more with Gift Aid). Next came the 50k South West Coast 2 Coast ultramarathon on August 6 and finally, he will complete the 50k Chiltern 50 on September 24.

“I fell in love with ultramarathons after doing the South West Coast 2 Coast last year, says Paul. “It combines my two passions: helping animals and running/walking. ” And all this despite breaking a leg earlier this year.

During Paul’s August ultramarathon, he was accompanied by a film crew for a forthcoming documentary called, I Could Never Be Vegan! “There should be plenty of publicity for Viva!” he adds. Sure should, Paul.

Paul’s preferred fundraising platform is Wonderful.org, who charge no fees, and they featured him in their recent blog too: blog.wonderful.org/the-84-

year-old-vegan-running

Ever the activist, Paul often hands out vegan leaflets while running his ultramarathons. I love his final comments:

“As well as saving animals, I want to show people you can be fit, healthy and strong as a vegan even into old age – should I ever get there!”

To support Paul – and Viva! – visit wonderful.org/fundraisers/821 to donate. You can also keep up with Paul (if you can!) on his blog nobreadisanisland.blogspot.com