Who runs the world? Vegan girls!

They certainly run the 11-day Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert. Forty-two-year-old vegan Briton Fiona Oakes ran 151 miles—more than a marathon every 24 hours—in the world's toughest foot race.

Official U.S. Navy Imagery | cc by 2.0

Oakes joins an elite club of vegan and vegetarian athletes, including nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, Ultraman triathlete Rich Roll, ultramarathoner Scott Jurek, and record-breaking 100-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh, who know that a great performance starts with healthy food.

Ready to get your own motor running? 

PETA U.K. supporter Fauja Singh ran into the record books on Sunday when he completed the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and became the oldest person ever to do so, at 100 years old. The "Turbaned Torpedo" credits his vegetarian diet, among other factors, with giving him the incredible stamina that propelled him into the Guinness World Records. This may be the best inspiration ever to get us off the couch and into some running shoes and is also living proof of why it's never too late to incorporate healthy, plant-based foods into your diet.

© Corin Jeavons

Even if you don't plan to break any world records, a plant-based diet is a veritable fountain of youth: Vegetarians and vegans live an average of six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters do.

To follow in Singh's footsteps, take the 30-day vegan pledge today and urge others you know—of all ages—to do the same.

Written by Heather Faraid Drennan

Searching for the Fountain of Youth? It won't be found in rhino horn, but it may be in your refrigerator—or at your local supermarket. Scientists believe that they have developed a way to estimate the likelihood that someone will live past the age of 100, and they found that many people with a vegetarian diet (along with other healthy lifestyle factors, such as not smoking) had an increased life expectancy.

Many plant-based foods have anti-aging properties, and a vegan diet can help manage and in some cases even prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other deadly diseases. Studies have shown that, on average, vegetarians and vegans live six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters.

And they don't usually while away those years in a rocking chair, either. Take vegetarian and PETA India supporter Fauja Singh, for instance. In 2005, Fauja, who is now 99, led a senior relay team in the Edinburgh Marathon in Scotland. He holds a world record in his age bracket. Go, Fauja!

If you want your loved ones to be alive and kicking well into their "golden years," why not encourage them to go vegan?

Written by Heather Moore