Hong Kong (February 24, 2012): As per information Baba Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner has run his last race at the age of 101.
Baba Fauja Singh (101)
It is learnt that Baba Fauja Singh finished the Hong Kong marathon’s 6.25-mile race on February 24, 2013 in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds.
“Singh, a Sikh, wore a saffron turban and sported a flowing white beard”, ESPN has reported.
“I will remember this day and I will miss it, but I will not stop running for charity,” added Singh, who was mobbed by supporters when he completed his final competitive event.
The centenarian, who was a farmer in his home state of Punjab before settling in England, began running at 89 and has since completed nine 42-kilometre (26 mile) marathons in London, Toronto and New York.
His best time was in Toronto, where he clocked five hours, 40 minutes and four seconds.
The great-great-grandfather, who turns 102 on April 1, has said that while he is quitting competitive events, he will not stop running for personal fitness.
He was inspired to take up marathons after he saw television coverage of one 12 years ago, not long after the death of his wife and a son, at a time when he said he needed a new focus in life.
It is learnt that Baba Fauja Singh became the oldest man to run a full marathon at Toronto in 2011. Although widely regarded as the world’s oldest marathon runner, Guinness World Records has not certified him since Singh cannot prove his birth date.