When I took up running, it was like meeting God himself. I have been running ever since. –Fauja Singh
Fauja Singh was born with a birth defect that prevented him from being able to walk until the age of five. At ten years of age, he said his legs were finally at full-strength.
However, it wasn’t until the age of 89 when Singh began running! After the loss of his wife and son he felt he was “more dead than alive” and decided to take up marathon running.
Singh not only completed marathons, he broke records! He became the star entrant in marathons all over the world.
“Running showed me kindness and brought me back to life by making me forget all my traumas and sorrows,” –Source
Singh soon found himself running to raise awareness for women’s right due to the recent rise in incidence of crime against women, which he said brought shame to India.
He told the Hindu that a Sikh would always stand in defense of women. Although, he is not just defending women who share the same faith as him. Singh explains history is full of Sikhs who have defended women of all faiths, but he did say, “I am pained to listen that my daughters, grand daughters and great grand daughters are no longer safe.”
At 102, Singh listened to his body’s signals and decided to retire, but he still stays fit, active, and a human rights advocate. His final race was the 10-kilometer event ahead of February’s Hong Kong marathon.
“I have retired because, given my age, my body has deteriorated a bit, but retirement hasn’t slowed me down.”
