Athlete Runs 3,200 Miles From California to New York to Promote Vegan Ice Cream

On March 16, vegan athlete and new ultra-runner Robbie Balenger will begin a transcontinental run from Huntington Beach, CA to Manhattan, NY, supported by vegan coconut-milk-based ice cream brand NadaMoo! Over the course of 75 days, Balenger will run 3,200 miles—approximately 43 miles per day—across the country as part of the ice-cream brand’s Plant-Powered campaign to support ordinary people as they set out to accomplish extraordinary, plant-fueled feats, and inspire others to do the same. Balenger, who began running six years ago and transitioned to the vegan lifestyle in early 2018, will fuel his journey with plants—and NadaMoo! ice cream. Along his route, students and community members will be invited to engage in conversations about achieving peak performance with smart food choices. “I grew up in Georgia, and it wasn’t until I was well into my 20s that I began to consider how my own food choices affected my body,” Balenger told VegNews. “My goal is to inspire people all across this country to start paying more attention to what they put inside of their bodies and to be an example of someone who has made a radical change and feels better for it.” Balenger will become the third vegan athlete to run across the country. “I hope to be an example for others that it is possible to thrive, not just survive, on a 100-percent plant-based diet,” Balenger said. In 2020, NadaMoo! plans to add more vegan athletes to its Plant-Powered campaign.