Fauja Singh (File photo)
An 80-year British Sikh man is running the London Marathon for the first time on April 26, inspired by Fauja Singh who encouraged him to take up walking initially.Baldev Singh Bains is doing the marathon to raise money for the Fauja Singh Clubhouse, being built in Fauja’s memory in Redbridge, on the route Fauja used to run.Fauja, the oldest marathon runner in the world, died last July after being hit by a car in his native village Beas Pind at the age of 114. He had discovered running in his 80s and ran his first marathon aged 89.Baldev knew Fauja as they lived in the same London borough, Redbridge, and went to the same gurdwara.“When Fauja improved his running, I decided I wanted to improve my health. Fauja told me to start walking, and then running, and to change my diet and think positively,” Baldev said.As recommended by Fauja, he started off by walking around the periphery of Beal High School Redbridge.“At that time I was on medication for diabetes and other conditions and overweight. Now I have lost 30kg and my doctor has now taken me off virtually all my medication.”Baldev hired Fauja’s coach, Harmander Singh, last year to train him, and he is also a member of the Sikhs in the City running club, where Fauja trained. Harmander (66) is also running the London Marathon to raise funds for the clubhouse, which will cost £1 million. It was given planning permission on April 1, which would have been Fauja’s 115th birthday.Baldev was born in Thana, a village in Garhshankar Tehsil in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. He read engineering at Delhi University before moving to the UK. “The way Fauja helped me, I hope this will inspire others,” Baldev said.
