100-Year-Old Sets Record as Oldest Person to Complete a Marathon

Fauja Singh is now part of the Guinness World Records for being the oldest person ever to complete a full-distance marathon.

The 100-year old marathoner finished the 42 kilometer Toronto Waterfront Marathon yesterday over eight hours or more than six hours after Kenya’s Kenneth Mungara won the event. Singh was the last competitor to complete the race but was eagerly awaited by the media, friends and supporters.

Singh was born on a farm in India in 1911. He started competitive running at the age of 89 after losing his wife and son. Prior to setting the record yesterday, Singh already owns the world record for having the fastest marathon run in the 90-year old category. He set the record at the age of 92 in 2003.

Harmander Singh, the Fauja’s coach and translator, said:

“Beating his original prediction, he’s overjoyed. He’s absolutely overjoyed, he’s achieved his lifelong wish.”

Sunday’s run was Singh’s eighth marathon. He compared finishing the race to getting married again.

The British resident hopes to participate in the torch relay for the 2012 London Games.