100 Years Old Fauja Singh's Marathon Career Graph. Count this Guinness.

Can’t think of a more badass name.Fauja Singh. Army lion.

Born to Mehr Singh and Bhago Kaur at Bias Pind.‘Bhago’. The connections with names keep piling.Rest of the resemblences however, weren’t encouraging.Their family was teased for their legs being so thin.

‘Danda’ bol ke khilli udate log unki.Bande ke unhi dando ko ab duniya choomti.(People would tease him, calling him ‘Stick’.Now they are dead in dust or his dust they lick.)

What’s the point of running in this day and age?Especially when your hair is gray, and you’re of his age.What’s the point of anything? Why turn the page?To see how this strange sage rearranged the rage in his life,after the passing away of his son and his wife.

In ’94, Kuldip Singh had an accident,an iron sheet fell on him from a roof.The son died in body, spirit spent.But took father’s zeal for life with him too.

That came on top of Fauja’s wife Gian Kaur passing away two years before.She’d finished a fulfilling life, couldn’t help him through this remorse.

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“Running is good for your health. It allows me to focus on the positiveand run away from people who are not positive and it doesn’t cost anything.”- Fauja Singh

We can’t run away from our problems right?Nope. But it does help us to put up a fight.He took up running again at one and eight.

Wife dead. Old age bane.Son slain. Feeling insane.Spirit wanes. Breath in vain.

Choice being to train or jump in front of one.In face of pain piling upon pain, he chose to run.

Some may think the load he’s carrying would cramp his style.This Singh has bling that shines brighter than Bhappi’s jewellery pile.

He runs now because it keeps him alive.But Fauja didn’t start walking until the age of 5.

And now after years of his blood, sweat n’ tearsflowing in a flood, he’s finally without peer.Having completed a marathon at 100 amidst cheers.

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Or is he?Asks Guinness.

See, Guinness can’t/won’t accept/recognize his feat.Marathon he ran and finished, but red tape can’t be beat.Of course, gotta look at it from their point of view.Unverified claims can leave them liable to be sued.

(Even though, as proof of age, he’s presented them with:- His passport.- Letter from the Queen wishing him Happy 100th Birthday.- Statement from the Indian Government substantiating that while the British were ruling India, they didn’t see the need to issue birth certificates to us.)

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Here’s what Guinness has to say on the matter.In short “Blah blah *insufficient proof* pitter patter.”

Craig Glenday, said: "Like everyone who read about Mr Singh, we
 were amazed by such an inspirational achievement - to finish
 a marathon at such an old age is awe-inspiring"

"However, we have yet to receive the documentary evidence
 that we need to confirm Mr Singh as the world's oldest
marathon runner. As much as we'd love to ratify this record,
we simply don't have the proof." 

"The claim will remain open until such evidence
 is provided - until then, we wish Mr Singh
all the best with his next challenge."

I don’t mean to tell the peeps at Guinness their business with this shout.But whatever happened to giving one the benefit of doubt?

100 until proven younger.Well, prove it then, bunglers.Examine his mouth.Count the teeth in his snout.Count the hair that sprouts off his beard.Do something Craig.Because I fear he may cut off his finger so you can count the grooves.See, he can’t read or write like me and you.Don’t mean to imply that he’s an ignorant fool.

Just that, like any illiterate he may attach a lot of importance to written words and records.Acknowledgement from Guinness may give him validation and closure to cut the cord,tying him with a responsibility to his community that he has something to prove without discord.

My guess and hope is this:He never had anything to prove in the first place.Nitpickers, take a closer look at his face.The man is an ancient gent who finished a race,and gave millions a reason to keep their shoes laced.

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Fret not Guinness.I’ll help you with this.You wan’t proof to count his age?Lo. Saboot. Evidence on page.

Count the number of Fauja Singhs in the pic below.When you’re done, you’ll knowhis age when he finished the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.Hope then you’ll put his name in the record book, where it belongs.

“I do not consider myself to be old.From the moment I do that,I would lose everything,because age is a state of mind.As long as you’re positive, you can do anything.”- Fauja Singh

Words to live by. We’re all positive that the Guinness record issue will be water off of Fauja Singh’s fauladi back and he’ll remain bindass forever, flashing that 100 megawatt smile.