Fauja Triumphant In Toronto

17 OCT2011

Not content with being the fastest centenarian to run a 10k, Fauja Singh today (Monday, October 17) completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon to become the oldest runner to finish 26.2 miles, and in the process further inscribed his name in the Guinness World Records.

Finishing in 8:25:16, Fauja looked like he would have to withdraw at around the 22-mile mark. The 100-year-old runner, however, managed to complete the remaining four miles in two hours, attaining 3,850th position.

Kenyan Kenneth Mungara continued his dominance on the course, securing his fourth successive victory in Toronto with a time of 2:09:49. Mungara prevailed despite the persistence of Ethiopian Shami Dawit, who finished merely two seconds behind the winner. Koren Yal won the women's event, completing the race in 2:22:43.

Born in India in 1911, Fauja now has 8 marathons and more than 500 races under his belt, all completed after his 89th birthday. In addition to his 10k and marathon accomplishments, Fauja also holds the world-record for the men's over-90 category after completing the 2003 Toronto Marathon in five hours and forty minutes.

Coach and translator Harmander Singh said Fauja was delighted to finish the race: "Beating his original prediction, he's overjoyed. Earlier, just before we came around the final corner, he said - achieving this will be like getting married again."

While it seems age is of little consequence to Fauja, he intends to conclude his 'Indian summer' running career by participating in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival team relay in May of next year.