--- title: "Ruth Heidrich - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "Ruth Heidrich: Ruth is a vegan Ironman triathlete (six times) and also holder of a World Age-group (60-64) Fitness Record at the famed Cooper Clinic (the Kenneth Cooper who coined the word \"aerobics\" in the 60s). She has more than 700 trophies from marathons, triathlons, pentathlons, 10Ks, etc." url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/5255-people-sports-ruth-heidrich.html" date: "2026-11-06T00:18:27+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # Ruth Heidrich | ![](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/news/2001-1/ruth.jpg)Ruth is a vegan Ironman triathlete (six times) and also holder of a World Age-group (60-64) Fitness Record at the famed Cooper Clinic (the Kenneth Cooper who coined the word "aerobics" in the 60s). She has more than 700 trophies from marathons, triathlons, pentathlons, 10Ks, etc. and competed in 63 races in 1997 alone. She has run the Great Wall of China, Ironman New Zealand, Ironman Japan (both first places), the Moscow Marathon, Boston and New York Marathons, and races in many other countries. Ruth is President of the [Vegetarian Society of Hawaii](http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/vsh/index.html) and a Councillor of the Vegetarian Union of North America - [Biographcal notes](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3696-congress-thai99-profiles-ruth.html) - from the Thai99 Congress - It Took a Truck to Do It -- Ironlady Ruth Heidrich Slows Down (VUNA Views 98/2) - At the International Vegan Festival, San Diego, USA, 1995 with other VUNA Councillors - Iron Man/Iron Lady (EVU News, 97/4) - [Ruth Heidrich home page](http://www.vegsource.com/heidrich/) (VegSource) **A Race for Life** *by Ruth Heidrich* [Excerpt from VegSource](http://www.vegsource.com/heidrich/excerpt.htm) **To buy Books, CDs or Videos by these celebrities, with commission to vegetarianism, go to:** | [**Update these lists - fill in the form!**](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/4623-people-form.html) [![Famous Vegetarians](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/people/pics/carrot.gif)Back to the Famous Vegetarians Index](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-people-index.html) | A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly. Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value. - Hits: 1256 ### Vegan Recipes - [![VEGAN GRAPEFRUIT SALAD](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th11%2052_1b6ced9499c09eb74f1f86eaa9d496a4.jpg "VEGAN GRAPEFRUIT SALAD")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-grapefruit-salad.html "VEGAN GRAPEFRUIT SALAD") #### [VEGAN GRAPEFRUIT SALAD](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-grapefruit-salad.html "VEGAN GRAPEFRUIT SALAD") [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [salads](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/salads.html) - [![Jamaican Tomato Soup](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/jamaican-tomato-soup-1779559620_575ff7711a511a246ae6d112df9b8fc2.jpg "Jamaican Tomato Soup")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/jamaican-tomato-soup.html "Jamaican Tomato Soup") #### [Jamaican Tomato Soup](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/jamaican-tomato-soup.html "Jamaican Tomato Soup") [Jamaica](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/jamaica.html) [Soups](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/soup.html) - [![Watermelon Agua Fresca](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/Watermelon_Agua_Fresca_64dab032206ebc3788b3c9fa46cefcb5.jpg "Watermelon Agua Fresca")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/watermelon-agua-fresca.html "Watermelon Agua Fresca") #### [Watermelon Agua Fresca](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/watermelon-agua-fresca.html "Watermelon Agua Fresca") [Mexico](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/mexico-2.html) [Drinks](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/drinks.html) [North America](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/north-america.html) ### VFA Blog - [![Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/jackfruit-vegan-chicken_38d26d6f0069138610db7aebc31a29e3.jpg "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine") #### [Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine") - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html) ### Science - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular ### History [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg) Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating") [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg) Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation") [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg) Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference") ### Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular 7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular 7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular 6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular 5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular 5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular 4558 downloads ### Nutrition - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular 603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular 2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular 3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular 4052 downloads ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults In 2 versions: - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html) [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html) ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Vegan Nutrition ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png) ### Presidents, Chair and Council - 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