Posted: May 12, 2005

Athletics: World's Oldest Marathon Runner To Compete In This Year's Edinburgh Marathon Relay

The world's oldest marathon runner, ninety-four year old Fauja Singh will lead a team of five Sikhs from across the UK to compete in this year's Edinburgh Marathon Relay event on Sunday June 12th.

With the youngest team member, Amrik Singh from Glasgow, aged 70, the team of five, whose combined age is likely to be around 400 years, will claim the 'oldest ever marathon team' title at this year's relay which is held alongside the marathon.

Last year Adidas signed Fauja alongside David Beckham and Jonny Wilkinson as part of its 'Impossible is Nothing' billboard advertising campaign

Over 1000 teams are set to run the 26.2 mile scenic marathon course which is split into five individual legs with the longest leg being less than 7 miles and the shortest, 4 miles.

Geoff Sims, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Marathon said: "I hope Fauja and his team will inspire people of all ages and running abilities to get out and give it a go. There is still time for people to sign up to run the Edinburgh Marathon Relay. The atmosphere as you run through the streets of Scotland's capital, past famous landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament and The Royal Yacht Britannia is just fantastic."

Fauja Singh admits that he only started taking running seriously at the age of 81 when he moved to London from India. Prior to that he lived on a family farm in Punjab where he regularly jogged "to get from one place to the next".

Fauja Singh said: "I am looking forward to competing in the Edinburgh Marathon Relay along with my fellow team mates. By running as the oldest ever marathon relay team I hope we will inspire young people to keep going and older people - never to give up. I love travelling the world and competing in running events and the attention that it brings so I can promote peace and understanding through sport.

"We are also running in the Edinburgh event to show our backing for the London 2012 bid, I was fortunate to be an Olympic torch bearer when it arrived for the first time in more than 50 years in Britain on route to Athens last year which was a fantastic experience."

Five years ago he took part in the Flora London Marathon at the age of 89 for the first time and has since completed it five times. In 2003 he set the marathon world record for over 90-year-olds, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 5 hours, 40 minutes. As well as completing the London and New York Marathons in 2004 he also returned to Toronto Waterfront to break the half marathon record for over 90-year olds.

Other team mates for the June event are Ajit Singh aged 74, from Huddersfield and 76 year old Malkiat Singh from Glasgow. Competition is fierce to win the fifth place in the team with a heat taking place this week between two contenders. The team will hope to complete the marathon course in less than five hours.

Over 100 Scottish charities have guaranteed places this year with the aim to raise collectively over £1.5 million. In total, over 10,000 entrants will take part in this year event with over 50,000 spectators expected to cheer runners along the course.

For the first time this year, Channel 5 and Sky Sports Television will be televising the Edinburgh Marathon. A one hour highlights programme will be broadcast on Channel 5 along with a 30 minute special on Sky Sports.

For more information visit www.edinburgh-marathon.co.uk. The deadline for Edinburgh Marathon Team Relay entries is 21st May 2005.

About the Edinburgh Marathon
The official Edinburgh Marathon charities are Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hope for Children, Maggies Centre, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and The Thistle Foundation.

For the first time this year, Channel 5 and Sky Sports Television will be televising the Edinburgh Marathon. A one hour highlights programme will be broadcast on Channel 5 along with a 30 minute special on Sky Sports.

Race director and international athletics coach, Ian Ladbrooke, has designed training programmes which are available to all runners by visiting www.edinburgh-marathon.co.uk/uk/trainingzone.

The official supporting sponsors are Lucozade, Purely Scottish Natural Mineral Water, Reebok, Edinburgh Evening News, Forth 1 and Forth 2.

EventScotland has provided 3 years funding support with the aim of doubling the size of the marathon in that time.