If you thought veganism was for wimps, think again. 

Not only are plant-based diets trending for reasons spanning health to healing, they’re also the go-to plan for many elite athletes.

Still dubious? On May 12th, a host of top vegan sportspeople will be descending on Cork City Hall to join the Vegan Athletes and Health Panel at Cork VegFest.

Among them will be British vegan ultra-athlete Fiona Oakes.

Not only is Fiona the fastest woman in the world to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole, she also runs an animal sanctuary for almost 400 abandoned pigs, sheep, cows, dogs and horses.

Leonardo Venaas, student doctor, vegan athlete and Youtuber, will be in town too.

He’s gained a following by showing people that it’s ‘possible to be fit, healthy and happy… without contributing to animal suffering and the furthering of this unhealthy culture that is today’s western diet’.

Bodybuilder and fitness model Jessica Gresty will be showing the audience how being vegan doesn’t need to mean a lifetime of compromise, while Michael Donohoe, vegan acrobatic fitness coach, brings 13 years of knowledge and experience of fitness programmes and nutrition.

Vegan ultra runner Heather Gordon will also be on Leeside to chat about competing in the 4 Deserts Atacama (Chile) Crossing 2017 – a 250km self-supported desert race.

The gruelling race demands that runners must carry all their own equipment and food and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.

Heather finished second in the U30 age category.

She makes a mean vegan meal too – check out her Instagram for inspiration.

For the full line-up and to check out the other panels, visit Cork VegFest.

Yay Cork is proud media partner of Cork VegFest 2018. It all happens on Saturday, May 12th, 2018, 10am – 6pm. Book your tickets here.