Centenarian Runner

Kenyan runners dominate elite marathon races all over the world but even four-time Toronto marathon winner Kenneth Mungara was upstaged when Fauja Singh arrived at last year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Hundreds lined up at the Runners’ Expo to get autographs and their pictures taken with Fauja Singh, the man nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado who has earned notoriety, not for his speed over long distances, but rather his age. The Punjabi born Sikh is 101 years old. “This is very nice that young people are coming out and running. But age doesn’t matter – 80-year-old, 60-year-old, 70-year-old people are seeing me and going out running. God willing, they will all be inspired,” he said.

The morning after, he established eight world track records at distances of 100 metres to 5,000 metres. Three days later, he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon.

Even royalty recognizes his achievements. Singh has dined with Queen Elizabeth II (no slouch in the longevity department herself), who awarded him the runner-up Living Legend Award at Windsor Castle, and has invited him to Christmas dinner.

Singh is truly exceptional and epitomizes the trend toward marathoning by masters runners. Whereas the running boom of the 1970s saw competition in 10-kilom

Kenyan runners dominate elite marathon races all over the world but even four-time Toronto marathon winner Kenneth Mungara was upstaged when Fauja Singh arrived at last year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Hundreds lined up at the Runners’ Expo to get autographs and their pictures taken with Fauja Singh, the man nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado who has earned notoriety, not for his speed over long distances, but rather his age. The Punjabi born Sikh is 101 years old. “This is very nice that young people are coming out and running. But age doesn’t matter – 80-year-old, 60-year-old, 70-year-old people are seeing me and going out running. God willing, they will all be inspired,” he said.

The morning after, he established eight world track records at distances of 100 metres to 5,000 metres. Three days later, he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon.

Even royalty recognizes his achievements. Singh has dined with Queen Elizabeth II (no slouch in the longevity department herself), who awarded him the runner-up Living Legend Award at Windsor Castle, and has invited him to Christmas dinner.

Singh is truly exceptional and epitomizes the trend toward marathoning by masters runners. Whereas the running boom of the 1970s saw competition in 10-kilometre races and, eventually, the half-marathon distance, more recently it is the marathon that has seen the biggest growth in numbers. The Toronto Waterfront race, for instance, saw a 42 per cent increase in runner participation this year alone with more than half in the over-40 category.

Exercise scientists tout the health benefits of long distance running, including strengthening of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems, weight loss and a positive mood, but sometimes it takes a life change, or simply good advice to get motivated to get moving.

Singh fathered six children with his wife, Gian Kaur. One by one, they emigrated to Britain seeking economic stability. Only his youngest son, Kuldip, remained at home. It was the death of Gian Kaur and then Kuldip – the latter in a horrific farm accident – that indirectly resulted in him taking up running.

Relatives brought him to Britain. Though he was prepared to grow old quietly, Singh had an epiphany of sorts while watching the London marathon on TV. There and then, he decided endurance walking and running would get him out of the house.

“I never thought I would be running,” he says. “But when I was 89, God showed me the way. I got inspired to start running distances.”

Before retiring earlier this year, Singh completed nine marathons since marking his debut at the 2000 London marathon. It’s an incredible record and one that has puzzled exercise physiologists. A year ago, a University of Westminster study revealed that, based upon factors such as maximal oxygen uptake, bone density and fat to lean ratio, Singh has the body of a 40-year-old. He offers no explanation other than the fact he is vegetarian and subscribes to the mantra eat to live.

“Every day I eat chapata (unleavened flatbread) and oatmeal for breakfast,” he says. “Simple and small, nothing heavy. Then I go out and walk for five hours. I go to church and meet with other old folks. I have lentils and soup with brown bread to dip in it for dinner.” Once a week, he will have a glass of Scotch.

And he is not one to take naps. “I will sleep no more than six hours and I never sleep during the day,” he claims.

Nor is he a quitter. He intends to keep running shorter five- and 10-kilometre races for charity.

“If you are old, don’t put yourself down,” he advises. “Be proud of yourself. Have a goal. You never know when your time is going to come to go from this world. As long as you are on this earth, make the best of your life.” —Paul Gains

etre races and, eventually, the half-marathon distance, more recently it is the marathon that has seen the biggest growth in numbers. The Toronto Waterfront race, for instance, saw a 42 per cent increase in runner participation this year alone with more than half in the over-40 category.

Exercise scientists tout the health benefits of long distance running, including strengthening of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems, weight loss and a positive mood, but sometimes it takes a life change, or simply good advice to get motivated to get moving. (See Getting Started, opposite page).