World's Oldest Marathon Runner Knows About Perseverance

Late bloomers aren’t found just in the business world, of course. For 40-and-older aspiring entrepreneurs, the accomplishments of older artists, authors, scientists and athletes can provide inspiration and a reminder of what’s possible (for great stories about non-business achievers, check out Debra Eve’s blog, Late Bloomer).

One example is 101-year-old Fauja Singh, who started running marathons at age 89. In late January, after nearly 13 years, Singh announced that the Hong Kong Marathon on Feb. 24 will be his final race.

As reported by this ABC News story, Singh earned the nickname the “Turban Tornado” for his distinctive yellow turban and (relatively) fast speed. He set race records for his age group when he was in his nineties and in 2004 carried the torch for the Athens Olympics. In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records listed him as the oldest marathon runner when he competed in the Toronto Marathon at age 100.

Once he stops competing, Singh plans to follow a lighter running schedule of “just” eight to nine miles per day.

“I will keep running to inspire the masses,” he told the Times of India. “Running is my life and I really would not have stopped competing if I had not crossed the age of 100.”

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