At 100, marathoner runs one for the record books

Marathon records don't always go to the fastest.

Fauja Sing claimed his own singular mark by being the oldest.

Sing, who was born in India 100 years ago, finished the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday to claim the world record as the oldest marathon runner. He finished in 8 hours, 25 minutes, 17 seconds, a little more than six hours behind the winner, Kenneth Mungara, of Kenya.

The Association of Road Racing Statistician already had Singh as the oldest person to complete a marathon, for one he ran seven years ago. But the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Dimitrion Yordanidis, 98, who ran in Athens in 1976.

NBC news in Toronto reported that Singh started running marathons at 89, after he moved to England following the death of his wife and son. He says not smoking or drinking alcohol throughout his life, combined with a vegetarian diet and up to 10 miles of walking or running per day are the secrets to his health.

"I have said it before: that I will carry on running, as it is keeping me alive," Singh told the marathon website.

Sing would be an elder role model for the Milwaukee-area's example of longevity, Paul Gionfriddo. The retired GE medical worker also got a late start, picking up the sport when he turned 60, and has been keeping a steady pace for more than two decades.

In 2008, he made the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon his 100th go at the 26.2-mile distance, and has been a lean and inspiring figure at road races across the area.