Every year, thousands of people run marathons to raise funds and awareness for causes they care deeply about, but the poignancy of running for those who cannot run… or walk… or even turn around for that matter, was not lost on an outstanding group of compassionate citizens from every corner of the map who contacted Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, this year to express their desire to run for farmed animals.

This Sunday, November 7, New York City resident Adrianne Prettyman will run in one of the most iconic races in the world — the ING New York City Marathon. Prettyman, who has been “blown away” by the overwhelming support she has received from friends, family and the community, has nearly quadrupled her initial fundraising goal of $300. “Running my first marathon is certainly a ‘bucket list’ experience, and the process has become even more incredible through supporting a worthy cause that’s so close to my heart,” says Prettyman. “Raising money to protect farm animals turned those long hours on the treadmill into a labor of love.”

Why They Run

Animals raised on today’s industrialized farms are treated like unfeeling commodities, and their basic needs are completely ignored. They are crowded in factory farm warehouses, and confined so tightly that they cannot walk, turn around or lie down comfortably. Farm animals are de-beaked, de-toed, tail-docked, confined, crowded, neglected and denied the very basics of life: fresh air, wholesome food, room to move and, most importantly, freedom. Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming and to encourage a new awareness and understanding about farm animals through public education, rescue and advocacy.

Everyday Heroes

One marathoner for whom saving lives is in his job description is Vegan Firefighter Cory Kalanick, a Hanford, California resident who is training for his first marathon in the heart of California dairy country. He will run in the Las Vegas Marathon on December 5 to support the lifesaving work of Farm Sanctuary and to raise awareness for healthy vegan living.  He has a blog dedicated to tracking his progress and is giving everyone who donates $25.00 or more a custom-designed t-shirt featuring his official logo  — what else? — a grinning ear of corn behind the wheel of a fire engine. On race day, Kalanick will sport a shirt that reads “RUNNING 26.2 FOR FARM SANCTUARY.”

For Kalanick, it is a journey that began when he visited the Orland, California Shelter of Farm Sanctuary last year. The experience affected him profoundly. “I left there feeling a renewed commitment to veganism and a new commitment to help stop the suffering of farm animals,” says Kalanick. “I chose a marathon as my vessel for spreading the message about Farm Sanctuary because I knew it would garner the attention needed to reach many people in a positive way.”

A Competitive Advantage

According to Dr. Allan Kornberg, Farm Sanctuary’s Executive Director, vegans — who shun fat-laden meat, milk, dairy and eggs in favor of healthier plant-based foods — have a natural advantage when it comes to endurance-related activities. “Numerous studies indicate that animal products not only promote weight gain and lead to obesity, but can also increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and a host of other afflictions,” says Kornberg. “Anyone preparing to embark on a rigorous training regime, or simply in search of superior health and increased stamina, would do well to switch to a vegan diet.”

Which should come as good news to Vermont residents Joyce Holsten and Catherine Marshall, both vegan, who have just signed up to run the Keybank Vermont City Marathon on May 29, 2011. Holsten, who sponsors the care of a goose named Yvette who resides at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter, is excited to use her first marathon as an opportunity to raise awareness for farm animals and veganism. “I love everything about Farm Sanctuary,” says Holsten. “We are talking about setting up a team of runners who also want to help farm animals.”

“We are inspired by the amazing men and women who are lacing up their running shoes to go the extra mile for farm animals this year,” says Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. “Although there is a growing consumer movement away from cruelly-produced foods in favor of healthier plant-based foods, many people are still unaware of the routine cruelty and abuse endured by billions of farm animals every year on America’s factory farms. We wouldn’t allow our cats and dogs to be treated in this way, and farm animals who experience fear, pain and suffering like cats and dogs shouldn’t be treated this way either. By running a marathon for farm animals, compassionate citizens are sending a powerful message that farm animals, like all animals, deserve to be treated with respect and consideration.”

Contributions can be made at http://www.crowdrise.com/racingforfarmanimals (Adrianne Prettyman) and http://www.giveforward.org/the-vegan-firefighter (Cory Kalanick).

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Sections: Vegan Activism
Topics: activism, athlete, factory farming, farm sanctuary, farmed animals, fundraising, jogging, marathon, marathoners, running, Vegan