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Call it the Guinness Book of Birthers. Record denied for 100-year-old marathoner

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on Oct. 24, 2011

running

I have to credit Joel Patenaude, the editor of Silent Sports Magazine, for crafting that spot-on line in response to news that the Guinness Book of World Records played the birth certificate card in denying Fauja Singh a record for being the oldest man to run a marathon.

The 100-year-old (give or take) finished the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon earlier this month.

Singh says he was born in India in 1911, and no birth certificates were available in that time and place. The Guinness folks are taking a Donald Trump tack, however, and no other record will suffice to prove Singh truly is 100.

The BBC reported that Singh provided his British passport, showing his date of birth as being 1 April 1911, as well as a letter from the Queen congratulating Mr. Singh on his 100th birthday, Guinness officials reportedly responded that these are not considered sufficient proof of age.

As Mark Remy, from Runner's World Magazine noted, Singh's beard should be proof enough.

3 Comments for "Call it the Guinness Book of Birthers. Record denied for 100-year-old marathoner"

  1. Whatever happened to innocent before proven guilty? He said he's 100, his passport said he's 100 and the Queen said he's 100. And for that matter what difference does it make? Too many bureaucrats, too many minor league micro-managers and too many Donald wanna-be's. Why don't these people do something productive like Singh?

    jhweck Oct 24, 2011 6:21 PM

  2. I'd die if I tried to run a marathon, and Mr. Singh has 41 years on me. Heck, I might die if I tried to WALK a marathon. They are taking their book a tad too seriously.

    eddiemathews Oct 24, 2011 9:05 PM

  3. It's a slippery slope. 'Grandfather' in this lack of proof, fudge that one, pretty soon the whole book is downright unreliable.

    I happy dirt Oct 25, 2011 11:31 AM

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