UK's India-born marathon-running Sikh has stirring message for Mumbai marathon
Fauja Singh, the 97-year-old marathoner who retired from running three years ago after beginning at the age of 89, wishes Mumbai Marathon runners all the luck
UK's India-born marathon-running Sikh has stirring message for Mumbai marathon
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The eloquent Devers may well have been talking about Fauja Singh, a 97-year-old Sikh, born in India but based in Ilford Essex (UK). Fauja had become the face of marathon running, participating in a number of 42-km full marathons in London, New York and even Toronto when he was in his 90s. He had set world records for a runner his age and finally, was 'officially' retired when he turned 94, three years ago, from marathon running. All through his running career, which he began at 89 years of age, his coach and manager, Harmander Singh, has guided Fauja.
As a thousand feet pound the 42-km course in Mumbai today, Fauja, who sent an email to Sunday MiD DAY had this message for the Mumbai marathoners: "I would like to wish everyone taking part the best of luck. I hope that they all enjoy the experience of joining the small set of individuals who have reached a level of human achievement, that sets them apart from those who just dream."
These soul-stirring words come from Fauja, who his coach and manager Harmander says, "Has retired from marathon running but still does shorter runs, often for charity events only. He still runs in practice though and he would miss it if he were unable to, say for ill health reasons a cold or something. At 97, he is in excellent health."
Harmander says that Fauja has not discounted coming down for the Mumbai marathon, "In fact, Fauja Singh is keen to continue running and he has not discounted any race, although environmental conditions and the logistical organisation of a race play a significant role in my selecting races for him."
His coach, in fact, says that even at 97, Fauja, has not run out of ambitions and goals. "He will make a comeback onto the world scene in road running at the appropriate time," says Harmander of Fauja.
Finally, fantastic Fauja signs off , "I am happy to see people attempt and participate in a race such as the Mumbai marathon as it brings communities together, the camaraderie among runners of all abilities is unique and to be treasured. It is a greater achievement to try than to find reasons not to try."
Quick Fauja facts
>>Fauja Singh, born in India, is based in Essex, Ilford in England.
>>He had formerly endorsed a sports apparel brand. Fauja's face was among the ones in the campaign overseas, standing next to legends like Muhammad Ali and footballer Zinedine Zidane.
>>Fauja used to be associated with a charity called BLISS for premature babies. He has said to English newspapers about his support to BLISS, "I like the idea about the oldest helping the youngest."
>>Fauja attributes his success to ginger dal, "curries" he used to call them, sending the English press into paroxysms of delight. His coach Harmander Singh says: "Fauja eats very little and drinks nothing stronger than water."
>>The Queen at the Buckingham Palace in London felicitated Fauja on December 7, 2005, at a Christmas reception for: 'making a significant national contribution to public life'.
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