100 Year old sets new Marathon record...

This story has been doing the rounds in the mainstream media. 100 year old Fauja Singh has become the oldest person to run a full Marathon. Fauja Singh, from Ilford, east London, ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday (16th Oct 2011) in eight hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds (avg 19:16 per mile). 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. Video clip HERE

Singh took up running about 20 years ago at the age of 80. He runs about 16 kilometres each day and this was his eighth marathon. In the same marathon in 2003, he set a record in the 90-plus category of five hours, 40 minutes and one second (12:58 per mile).

His coach and translator Harmander Singh said Mr Singh was "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". 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."

Last Thursday he broke another eight records for 100-year-old men by completing all eight distances ranging from 100m to 5,000m.
World age-group records pending for 100-year-old runner, after runs by Fauja Singh, Oct. 13, 2011:
100 metres -- 23.40 seconds (previous 29.83); 200 metres -- 52.23 seconds (previous 77.59 seconds); 400 metres -- 2:13.48 (previous 3:41.00); 800 metres -- 5:32.18 (no previous record); 1,500 metres -- 11:27.00 (previous 16:46.00); mile 11:53.45 (no previous record); 3,000 metres -- 24:52.47 (no previous record); 5,000 metres -- 49:57.39 (no previous).

Last year, the 99-year-old runner underwent a bone density test in Britain where he now lives. Doctors said his left leg was found to have a density of a 35-year-old, while his right leg had that of a 25-year-old.

Back in 2005, he set several records in the UK M90 age group. Report below...
As part of their contribution to the Back the Bid campaign, the Sikh Community hosted a record-breaking event at Mile End Park Stadium, East London, on Saturday 2 July 2005. Star performer was the indefatigable 94 year old Fauja Singh. His aim was to run 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, the mile and 1500m, and a 3000m continuing on to finish the 5000m.
Fauja clocked 19.97 (hand timed) for the 100. In the 200m he obliterated the UK M90 age group 200m clocking an amazing 45.13sec. The 400m he covered in 1.49.28sec, to become the first in Britain ever to contest this distance. The UK 800m time he beat by 18.02 sec, running 4.20.97sec. The magic mile he ran in 9.40.13, timed at 9.03.37 for 1500m in the process. The last event, the 5000m, 12½ times round the track, seemed a daunting target. Cheered on by the Mayor, local Press and supporters, he reeled off consistent laps, setting a new UK M90 3000m in 18.38.48 and continuing to complete 5000m in 31.31.12, just 5.67sec off the current UK record. With five records, or six, if you allow for the fact that all races plus recovery time were completed within the 94 minutes, Fauja still had enough puff to conduct media interviews!