100 Year Old Marathon Runner

Kintarō Hattori

A 100-year-old Briton has become the world's oldest marathon runner after finishing a race in Canada.

Fauja Singh, from Ilford, east London, ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in eight hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds.

The record-holder "hit the wall" at 22 miles but soldiered on for another two hours and finished in 3,850th place, ahead of five other competitors.

Mr Singh, who took up running 11 years ago after his wife and son died, trains every day by running 10 miles.

Curry and tea
His coach and translator Harmander Singh said Mr Singh was "overjoyed".

"Earlier, just before we came around the (final) corner, he said, 'achieving this will be like getting married again'.

"He's absolutely overjoyed, he's achieved his lifelong wish."

Born in India in 1911, Mr Singh was a farmer in the Punjab but moved to Britain in the 1960s.

He puts his stamina down to ginger curry, tea and "being happy".

He holds the world record for the over-90 category after running the 2003 Toronto marathon in five hours and 40 minutes. His latest feat earns him another spot in Guinness World Records.

On Thursday he broke another eight records for 100-year-old men by completing all eight distances ranging from 100m to 5,000m.

Mr Singh said: "The secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling and keep running.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15330421

I have to say I found this pretty amazing. I would hope that if I ever reach his age that I have his level of energy and mobility.

Fishooks12

Some man alright!

Just goes to show how people are living to be older and older with advances in medicine

A few years ago the few to make it to 100 would be wheelchair bound and barely last another year, now we have fellas running marathons!

Blazer

Ì did NY marathon in 2008 and was talking to one old lady ..she was telling me it was her 22nd NY marathon...which she only took up at 60 :eek:

human repellent

Fair play to him, what i found even more amazing was the 10 miles training each day.

Saila

yes he 'ran' a marathon in 8 1/2 hours

fair play anyway

krudler

Saila wrote: »

yes he 'ran' a marathon in 8 1/2 hours

you do it faster then?

It wasn't me!

krudler wrote: »

you do it faster then?

The point is that's walking pace, and I reckon anyone should be able to walk 26 miles. It's an amazing achievement though. Fair play. I'm planning to run the Dublin marathon next year and at 23, that guy has me put to shame. Love how he took up running at 89!

Lord Derpington

BBCNews wrote:

A 100-year-old Briton has become the world's oldest marathon runner after finishing a race in Canada.

Born in India in 1911, Mr Singh was a farmer in the Punjab but moved to Britain in the 1960s.

Standard stuff from the BBC I see.

Things go well, British! Things go bad not British!

Fair play to the guy though some achievement!

Saila

krudler wrote: »

you do it faster then?

Ive cycled 120miles in under 7 1/2 hours through the alps if thats any use to you?

you missed the in my post, doing it at that pace isnt running, but covering 26miles in anyway at 100 years old is an unusual achievement whatever way you cut it! fair fucks to him!

foxyboxer

My old man won't even go for cigarette's without taking the car.

At 100 y.o. that must be a record. Hope I'm around at 100 to even consider breaking that record.

OctavarIan

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I would hope that if I ever reach his age that I have his level of energy and mobility.

Most people would love to have it at any age, never mind 100 years old! What a hero.

wrote:

Mr Singh said: "The secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling and keep running.

Bolded part should be thrown around this country a lot more.