- Fauja Singh ran his first marathon at age 89 and became an international sensation.
- Records? Fastest to run a marathon (male, over age 90), fastest to run 5,000 meters (male, over age 100), fastest to run 3,000 meters (male, over age 100), and on and on they went.
- By his second birthday, Fauja’s parents had cause for concern: He couldn’t walk. His legs were short and spindly, capable of movement but too weak to support his body. He turned 3. No steps yet. Then 4. Still crawling. Children called him danda, Punjabi for “stick.” Family members worried he might be crippled for life, so they consulted village doctors…At age 5, he developed enough strength to hobble. Proper walking didn’t come until around age 10.
- His goal? Get into the Guinness Book of World Records for finishing a Marathon at 100 years old. The race: The Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16, 2011. He’d finished in 8 hours, 25 minutes. He waved to the crowd as he walked across the line, then lifted his arms and accepted a medal. There were smiles and handshakes and photos with friends and strangers, then a rambling news conference for Fauja to reflect on his record. Amid the chaos and congratulations, however, Fauja never noticed the absence of one celebrant they’d expected. Guinness. (Guinness would not recognize Fauja Singh for the record. Read why at this link.)
Source: ESPN – The Runner. Hit this link to read the full story. Inspiring.
Epilogue: On February 23, 2013, Fauja Singh finished the Hong Kong 10km (6.25 mile) event in one hour, 32 minutes and 28 seconds. (Source: BBC News – Oldest Man Runs His Last Race)
DK Note to Self: Get. Off. The. Couch.
Live & Learn 
A Saturday morning wonder, as well as an inspiration. Perhaps he should also win a medal for hurdling, for he clearly has been overcoming those since he we a child. ANd with deep respect and humility, I can’t help but ask – how many 100 year old men are running 5 thousand meters these days? I’m sorry at that point, everyone still running deserves a trophy. 😉
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Yes, “wonder” would have been a better tag…
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The great thing here is what one starts out in life as in childhood can be changed in adulthood This man amazes me, gives me inspiration to do this at 100-years-old too.
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Yes, it is inspiring for that reason. May great artists and writers didn’t get “great” until later in life.
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He has determination and stamina. Good for him! Most people would have given up long ago.
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…and some of us have already.
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Great story
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It is…
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Love this. Definitely inspiration for today! Thanks, David.
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Inspiring…yes. 🙂
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Yes…
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Good inspiration!
And how was your run?
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Next question please.
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Laughing!
Okay then. How is the couch?
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It was heaven. Thanks for asking.
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Do you know why Guinness would not recognize his record?
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Yes. But I don’t want to be a spoiler. It is in the full article. Link above.
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Ha! I missed that there was a link to an article. I’ll click over now and read it now. 🙂
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Thanks for the heads up Linda. I’ll fix that.
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Oh, it’s not you.. it’s me. You clearly refer to the link.
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My cousin ran her first marathon at 50 and now, at 67, will represent the US Women senior class, in the Israel Maccabiah Games this summer. Inspiring. She could use people’s support: Carol Benjamin. http://www.maccabiusa.com/sports/competitions/19th-maccabiah-games.html
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Wow, good for her. Thank you.
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Wow! This reminds me of a 15k I ran when I was in my 20’s. I crossed the finish line with a 60 year old (that seemed ancient then and I was really impressed). That’s nothing compared to this guy. Guess I’m running tomorrow…..
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Giddyap Carolann…
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Saw this when it first came out and it’s still mind boggling.
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It is. It really is.
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Absolutely awe inspiring. I must tell my 99-year-old about him. She loves a challenge. 😀
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And quite a challenge it would be Sylvia
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Pah! Marathon. Is that all? What’s 100 years, right? Tell him to pop over to South Africa and we’ll show him the Comrades.
🙂
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Laughing. I bet.
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You bet! I ran Comrades 3 times and have occasionally thought about blogging about some of my ‘ad…bloody…ventures’ but I fear people would think I am making them up.
Not every SA runner is a Bruce Fordyce clone ( and if you don’t know who this is, spend some time on Google)
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🙂 I need to check out Bruce Fordyce. Never heard of him. Thanks for pointing me to him.
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What!! Go and wash your mouth out with soap, young man.
How about Alberto Salazar, then Remember him? Please say yes?
He ran Comrades just once. Came to our shores a few years back. Against all odds, all advice all the experts, he took the lead from the gun and led from start to finish – 90 frigging K’s for crying in a bucket!
Burned the arse of many a seasoned campaigner, I can tell you!
And it is a feat (feet!) never done before or since.
Then he grabbed his medal, his fat check and disappeared into the Durban sunset never to return…..like Shane, or something, but without a horse. Although he walked as if he had been riding one.
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Yes, now Salazar I know. (Thankfully. Been with the soap thing, didn’t want to taste it again). Great story …
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