Hundred-year-old Fauja Singh maintained his awe-inspiring record at the marathons and has become the oldest person to complete the Toronto marathon, In Canada on Sunday.  A British of Indian origin Centurion marked a record by running 42 km in 8 hours, 25 mins and 6 seconds, ending up as 3,849th and six hours behind the winner. After 22 miles the centenarian briefly looked like he might have to stop, but battled on for another two hours to reach the finishing line.

Ironically, the event witnessed the death of a 27-year-old, who collapsed and died just 300 metres from the finish line. The Canadian Press reported that it appeared he suffered a heart attack while running the half-marathon.

Born in India in 1911, was a farmer in Punjab until 1960 when he moved to London. He attributes his extraordinary stamina to ginger curry, cups of tea and ‘being happy’, adding: ‘The secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. ‘Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling and keep running.’