Itir Atadiyen, a vegan runner from Turkey, has been dominating some of the toughest mountain races and ultra marathons. She has achieved podium finishes and first places in races involving significant height gains and epic distances. Recently, she finished on the age-group podium of the Merrell Belgrad Ultra in Istanbul, a 59 km race with 1,332 meters of height gain, completing it in just under seven hours. She also conquered the Aladaglar Epic Trail, a 119 km race with 7,504 meters of climbing, finishing first in her age group after nearly 24 hours on the course.

Itir, who has been vegan since 2018, credits her plant-based diet for her improved performance in demanding sports. She focuses on eating healthy vegan foods like salads, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and plenty of carbs to fuel her intense training regimen. In addition to mountain races, Itir also participates in triathlons, road running, trail running, and orienteering for enjoyment. Her success and dedication to veganism showcase the power of plant-based nutrition in athletic performance.