VEGAN RUNNING CLUB - F.A.Q.

Q. Why a vegan running club?

A. We want to create the most inclusive possible running club focusing on purely on veganism and running, We explore the synergies between the two domains and we create a friendly community for these common interests.

Q. I'm not a fast runner. Am I still welcome?

A. Yes, absolutely! We welcome runners at all levels of speed and experience. We have some fast runners among us but also plenty of slower runners, beginners and walkers too. Wheelchair athletes are also very welcome. If you're vegan and you want to join a running club, you're welcome.

Q: Are we UK Athletics Registered ?

A:  We are affiliated to the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) which is a UK fully democratic and accountable governing body. It is administratively light, enabling our club to focus on priorities and objectives which includes promoting veganism in running and animal rights issues. Runners can be a member of Vegan Running Club in addition to any UK Athletics affiliated club.   ARC provides insurance for members participating in runs formally organised by the club (limited to residents in UK, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands).

Q. I already belong to another running club which is EA registered. Can I also join VRC? 

A. Yes, as we are not registered with any UK Athletics governing body you can also join Vegan Running Club without any constraint.

Q: Is the club a registered charity?

A:  No. Currently we are an unincorporated association but we will explore the option of becoming a registered charity in the future.

Q: What is our position on politics?

Other organisations may take political positions - some are happy with this, while others feel uncomfortable. We want to welcome vegans from across the political spectrum to create the broadest possible coalition to advance animal rights.  We avoid other politics here - we just focus on the vegan agenda.

Q. You have a range of vest colours?  Do I get a choice of colour?  

A: Yes subject to stock and availability you have a choice of colour.  We also have a made-to-order catalogue providing an even greater choice of colour.  

Q: I live in America. Can I buy a vest?  

A: Yes but subject to the postal services permitting this.  Some changes in tariffs have made the USA a little complicated.  However we are happy to help with the provision of artwork for members around the globe to procure something locally.

Q:  Who can join ?

A: Anyone over 18 who is vegan (as defined by the Vegan Society).  If our are an aspiring vegan who needs help and encouragement is making the transition we can help you over the line.  Feel free to get in touch.

Q:  Do you have any vegan nutrition advice for running long distances? 

A:  See our Resources pages - including Nutrition and YouTube channels.  We are gradually expanding our library of nutritional resources in our private members area.

Q:  I’m a new runner, do you have any training plans? 

A:  Yes. Please see our resource page.

Q: How can I stay updated on events and meet ups? 

A:  We email monthly newsletters to all members with an event list. 

Q:  What are the benefits of joining VRC? 

A:  Generally its the joy of becoming part of a community of like-minded running vegans, participate in events, receive newsletters and have an opportunity to contribute towards our goal of fund raising for animal sanctuaries and similar entities.  A full list of membership benefits has been published here.

Q:  Am I allowed to buy kit from you as a present to friends of family?  If it doesn't fit anymore might I sell it?

A:  Yes, of course.  We sell kit to our members only but we have no unrealistic pretensions that we could make or enforce rules about what happens to our kit once it is sold.

Q: What types of running kit are available through the Vegan Running Club, and how can I purchase them? 

A: The club offers a variety of running kit, including vests, T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps, and buffs. Vests are primarily stocked and managed directly by the club to keep costs down, with members being notified about availability and ordering processes via email and the members' area of the website. There are standard vests and also bespoke order options like blue with white print and black with white print, requiring advance payment. Other items, excluding vests with the 'V' logo (due to trademark pending), are available through the club shop hosted on VIGA (viga.co.uk/collections/vegan-running-club). However, the club is transitioning to its own internal shop within the members' area for all 'V' logo items, including made-to-order options offering a wider choice, lower prices, and better communication. This internal shop utilises Google Suite tools and operates on both a stocked (fast-moving items) and made-to-order basis to minimise working capital. Members will be informed when the internal shop is fully functional.

Q: How does the Vegan Running Club ensure its kit aligns with vegan and ethical principles? 

A: The club prioritises procuring vegan and ecologically certified products wherever possible. They aim to use suppliers with certifications like PETA Vegan, WRAP, BSCI, Oeko-Tex, and SEDEX. For made-to-order items, they utilise catalogue 'blank' garments that are competitively priced and often Vegan certified. The club is actively seeking eco-friendly options, such as vests made from recycled materials. Their Kit Strategy explicitly states the objective of procuring Vegan and Ecological certified products where practicable.

Q: What is the club's approach to fundraising, and which causes does it support? 

A: The Vegan Running Club actively engages in fundraising activities to support animal causes and sanctuaries. This is explicitly stated in their constitution. Recent initiatives include selling club mugs designed by a member to raise funds for the Hunt Saboteurs Association and a prior appeal exceeding its target for a hedgehog charity. The club aims to distribute any surplus funds annually to support vegan causes and encourages members to participate in donation initiatives. They also hosted a stall at a vegan fayre to raise awareness and funds, even promoting vegan dog food.

Q: How does the club foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for members to connect? 

A: The club fosters community through various means, including organising future parkrun meet-ups and suggesting potential race meet-ups, such as a possible event in Lithuania. They have a Facebook parkrun group to encourage participation and share weekly reports. The club also organises events like the Southampton Vegan Fayre where members can meet. The newsletter includes member spotlights, race reports, and congratulations for achievements, promoting engagement and connection among members both locally and internationally. The club looks to host stalls at Vegan events.

Q: What emphasis does the club place on athletic development and participation? 

A: The club encourages athletic development and participation at all levels. They promote involvement in parkrun by urging members to register VRC as one of their groups and wear club kit. The newsletter features training tips, such as progressive tempo runs, cruise intervals, and strength training, to help members improve their running performance. They also highlight member achievements in races of various distances, from parkruns to marathons and ultra-marathons, inspiring others and celebrating their efforts. The club also aims to track parkrun registration and attendance in club kit as part of their athletic development strategy.

Q: How does the Vegan Running Club integrate its core value of ethical veganism into its activities? 

A: Ethical veganism is the prime focus of the Vegan Running Club. Their kit prominently displays "VEGAN," and successful vegan runners like Andrius Jaksevicius are highlighted to showcase the performance benefits of a plant-based lifestyle and potentially influence non-vegans. The club's constitution prioritises ethical veganism, and while respecting members' other concerns, non-vegan matters are directed to more appropriate organisations. The club's mission includes increasing veganism within the running community and the wider population. Even kit promotion includes the message 'for the animals'.

Q: What are some key nutritional considerations for vegan runners highlighted by the club?

A: The club provides nutritional guidance specifically for vegan runners. This includes the importance of optimising hydration and avoiding foods high in salt and fats, especially before races, to prevent impacting performance. They highlight the benefits of nitric oxide for blood flow and oxygen delivery, which can be boosted through beetroot consumption. The role of vitamin D in muscle function, energy production, bone health, and immune support is also discussed. Furthermore, the club touches upon the potential benefits of an alkaline diet for runners, noting that a vegan diet naturally tends to have a lower potential renal acid load. The impact of saturated fats on endothelial function and nitric oxide production is also emphasised.  We are currently publishing a series on mitochondrial health.  There are some sample podcast on the public website here.

Q: How can members contribute to the Vegan Running Club and help it achieve its objectives? 

A: The club actively seeks volunteers with various skills to support its growth and objectives. Members are encouraged to help with tasks such as writing feature articles, website design and maintenance, developing the club strategy document, coordinating regional parkrun meet-ups, developing Java code for back-office processes, marketing, and membership administration. These opportunities allow members to directly contribute to increasing veganism in the running community and supporting the club's operations.  See also our guide to engagement with non-vegans.