Smile and keep going: 100-year-old marathon man's tip for a long life

Hitting 100 is a big milestone for anyone but for Fauja Singh it is not the years he is counting.

The pensioner from east London yesterday secured his place as the world's oldest marathon runner after completing the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon in Canada.

He completed the run in 8hrs25min16sec in 3,850th place - ahead of five other runners.

Mr Singh, who took up running 11 years ago at 89 after the deaths of his wife and son, says he runs 10 miles every day.

He said: "The secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. If there's something you can't change then why worry about it? Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling and keep running."

Mr Singh is a well-known figure near his home in Redbridge and has run nine marathons. Asked how he felt crossing the finish line he said: "It felt like I was getting married again. I had that same joyous feeling. I was so touched by the support that I received here that it took all my pain and tiredness away."

Mr Singh hopes to run the Virgin London Marathon, adding: "It would be an honour to run again in my home city."