Running for Good – ‘Queen of the Extreme’ Fiona Oakes (vegan), Part 1 of 5

Today, it is our privilege to feature one of the top ultra-endurance athletes on the planet, Fiona Oakes, from Essex, England, UK. Fiona is one of the greatest athletes in the world judging by her records. She is the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest female in cumulative time to complete a marathon within the Antarctic Circle, as well as on the other six continents, at 23 hours, 27 minutes and 40 seconds. She also holds the Guinness World Records for the fastest female to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents plus the North Pole, in both aggregate time (28 hours, 20 minutes, and 50 seconds) and elapsed time (225 days and 18 hours). Fiona has been dubbed the “Queen of the Extreme” by her peers due to her grit in some of the most challenging races in the world. “I didn’t take to running because I wanted to run, I wanted to promote veganism and the benefits of a plant-based diet. I realized, I can rescue animals, and I can deliver harmonic existence for those in my care, but for the billions out there who are suffering, I can’t touch. How do I do that? And that was when I formulated the idea of going out and running. The reason was I wanted a platform to speak out.” “There was no social media at the time; the only thing that I was fairly good at was sports, but not running, but the only attention in sports for women was Paula Radcliffe who was running the marathon, and it had all kinds of hashtags, if you like. This is the toughest event in the athletic calendar, and if you can complete a marathon you can do anything.” Today, at the age of 51. Fiona’s running career remains in full swing. It is safe to say that she has proven what she had set out to prove: that a lifelong plant-based diet can sustain the highest levels of sports performance and physical health: “I am living proof of it, I’ve been running now for 20 years. I’ve got such versatility, and I am still doing it.” Supreme Master Ching Hai: “With tears of love and awe, gratefully present the Shining World Compassion Award to Ms. Fiona Oakes, with heartfelt praises and sincere respect for all that you do for our precious animal friends and the planet, plus a gift of US$21,000 as a humble token of support for your noble work. May you have continued success in your heartfelt, touching and inspiring endeavors and may the Providence bless you and your loved ones forevermore. You are a Saint!”