Fueling the finish line: Why runners need animal protein
Join us June 25–27 for the World Without Cows Global Run, a 25,000-mile challenge that raises raise awareness of agriculture’s role in creating a sustainable future
Explore
Fueling the finish line: Why runners need animal protein
Join us June 25–27 for the World Without Cows Global Run, a 25,000-mile challenge that raises raise awareness of agriculture’s role in creating a sustainable future
Explore
Fueling the finish line: Why runners need animal protein
Join us June 25–27 for the World Without Cows Global Run, a 25,000-mile challenge that raises raise awareness of agriculture’s role in creating a sustainable future
Unlike most races, the World Without Cows Global Run doesn’t start with a stopwatch. It starts with one bold mission: to elevate agriculture through science-led storytelling, advocacy and education — by logging 25,000 miles together, the distance of one full lap around the planet.
Taking place Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29, this worldwide challenge invites participants to help share the message of World Without Cows and support Planet of Plenty initiatives that keep the conversation going — simply by showing up and running.
Let’s circle the globe — together.
The World Without Cows Global Run gives runners an additional reason to celebrate the role animal proteins like dairy play — not just in nutrition, but in the broader story of how we fuel the future.
Lace up and join a global movement to put purpose behind every step.
One lap, one big question
To understand the scale of this challenge, consider this: there are more than 1.5 billion cows on the planet today. In India alone, there are enough cows to circle the Earth 18 times, if lined up nose to tail. Our goal? Complete just one lap, covering 25,000 miles collectively, to further the dialogue on cows and what could be lost if they disappeared.
So, what would a world without cows look like for runners specifically? It would mean fewer options for the high-quality protein needed to train, recover and perform. Because without foods like meat and dairy, it’s harder to fuel endurance, build strength and stay resilient.
Why animal protein matters for runners
Endurance running places high demands on the body. It breaks down muscle fibers, taxes the immune system and speeds up nutrient turnover. Protein helps the body repair, rebuild and adapt to that stress. And the kind of protein consumed makes a measurable difference.
Why do runners benefit from animal-sourced proteins, like meat and milk?
Complete proteins repair muscle efficiently.
Animal-based proteins, such as meat, eggs, dairy and fish, are known as “complete” proteins because they contain all nine essential amino acids your body needs to build and repair muscle. Research shows that consuming high-quality, complete proteins more effectively stimulates muscle protein synthesis than consuming only isolated amino acids or incomplete plant sources.
Leucine helps kick-start recovery.
Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that signals your muscles to begin the recovery process after a workout. Animal proteins have higher leucine concentrations per gram than most plant proteins, which makes them more effective in activating recovery pathways after endurance activities, such as running.
They’re easier to digest and absorb.
Animal proteins tend to be more bioavailable than plant sources, meaning your body absorbs and uses them more efficiently when you need to bounce back quickly. For example, the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) for beef is 0.92, compared to 0.75 for black beans. This higher digestibility means that animal proteins can more effectively support muscle repair and recovery after intense training sessions.
They support the immune system.
Training hard can stress your immune system. Animal proteins also provide nutrients like iron, zinc and B12 that help keep it strong. One trial found that participants on a high-animal-protein diet showed better immune-inflammatory responses than those on a high-plant-protein diet, indicating that animal proteins can better support immune function during physical stress.
They help maintain lean muscle.
A 2021 meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials found that animal protein was more effective than plant protein in supporting gains in lean mass — especially in younger adults. For runners, that means better muscle preservation during heavy training and more support for strength over time.
What about plant-based alternatives?
It is possible to meet your protein needs on a plant-based diet, but it takes more effort. Most plant proteins are missing one or more essential amino acids and aren’t as easy for the body to digest. That means athletes often need to eat larger amounts, combine different foods (like beans and rice), or use fortified products to get the same results.
While plant proteins can support performance and recovery, they usually need to be consumed in greater volume to match animal protein. One study found athletes had to take in nearly 60 grams of rice protein to get the same muscle-building effect as just 40 grams of whey, a fast-digesting, high-quality protein naturally found in milk.
Why we’re running
With the World Without Cows Global Run, we’re running not to raise miles, but to raise awareness about the importance of building a more sustainable farming future. And just like endurance training, advancing our global food systems requires ongoing effort, adaptation and strength. Runners don’t improve by cutting the essentials. They improve by fueling smarter and recovering better. The same goes for agriculture.
The answer isn’t removing cows from the equation. It’s in improving the systems we rely on to raise them, so that farmers can nourish more people, more efficiently, using fewer resources. Now that’s a race worth running.
Make an impact
Click here to learn more about the World Without Cows Global Run — and register to participate. All proceeds support Planet of Plenty’s mission to advance agriculture through science-led storytelling, advocacy and education.
World Without Cows is a Planet of Plenty® production. Working Together for a Planet of Plenty was launched in 2019 by Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, a global animal nutrition company. Planet of Plenty is a call for collaboration across industries and geographies to create and embrace science-based solutions that help agriculture provide nutrition for all, revitalize rural communities and replenish the planet’s natural resources.
Explore more
Cheese, everywhere: 10 facts about one of the world’s oldest and strangest foods
Take a world tour of cheese traditions, facts and history — all made possible by cows
National Dairy Month: Share the story of dairy’s essential role in nourishing the world
What would we lose in a world without milk?
Cows and climate: Facts from the documentary
A closer look at what cows contribute to our world
Too much for some, not enough for others: Why U.S. dietary guidelines need a global lens
New dietary advice sparks a bigger question: Who gets to decide what’s healthy?
School milk: Small investment, global impact
Exploring the power and potential of milk in school systems around the world
help us start the conversation.
As climate change intensifies and the world’s population continues to grow, the pressure on our global food production system mounts. You can play an active role in shaping a more sustainable planet for future generations. Fill out the form below to learn more about how you can partner with us.
