RETIREMENT: World’s oldest marathoner Fauja Singh, 101, to retire

SHANE KOKA
VANCOUVER DESI

Legendary Sikh centenarian marathoner Fauja Singh has decided to hang up his spikes for the last time. Singh was in Beas Pind, Jalandhar before emigrating to Illford, England, a suburb of London. After losing his wife, and two adult children in the mid 1990s, Singh turned to running as a coping mechanism. In 2000, at the ripe old age of 89, Singh ran at the London Marathon, his first.

13 years later, after setting five world records for his age group, racing in exotic locales like Hong Kong andNew York City (and last year, Surrey), raising thousands of dollars for charity, running a leg of the Olympic torch relay, starring in a commercial with David Beckham and Muhammed Ali and even receiving a telegram from Queen Elizabeth, Fauja Singh is saying goodbye to the marathon world.

On Feb. 25, Singh will participate in his final 26.2 mile race, the Standard Charter Hong Kong Marathon. On raceday, Singh will be merely five weeks shy of his 102nd birthday, an incredible feat. After that he will run in shorter races in Mumbai, Mauritius, Toronto and Singapore.

Though he may be done with his signature distance, Singh will remain involved with the Sikhs in the City running club which he helped found, and plans to run four hours a day. “Running is my life. I will keep running to inspire the masses, ” Singh told the Hindustan Times.

Regardless of where the rest of his life may take him, Fauja Singh will always be an inspirational icon not only to South Asians, but to athletes and people around the world. His dedication to his craft, indomitable spirit and sheer determination are a tremendous legacy. When asked how he was able to complete such a grueling race at such and advanced age, the wise Singh replied: “The first 20 miles are not difficult. As for last six miles, I run while talking to God.’’

Sources: Broadway Run Club, Hindustan Times, London Evening Standard.

Tags: centarian, Fauja Singh, legend, marathons, Punjabi, records holder, runner, running, Sikh, sports, world record