“Have Feet, Will Run…!”
96-year-old Mann Kaur to run for 2012 edition of the prestigious Airtel Delhi Half Marathon
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, among the country’s top running events and one of the few half marathons from around the world to enjoy IAAF Gold Label Status is scheduled to be held on 30th September 2012. An event that is known to attract a world-class field – a claim backed by the super fast winning times – will witness its oldest runner 96-year-old Mann Kaur, who will participate in the 2012 edition of the event.
As someone who truly defies age, Mann Kaur is getting set to demonstrate to Delhites that age is no bar and that barriers exist only in the mind. Kaur, who hails from Chandigarh, is a woman who has raced her way to glory in many championships with training from son Gurdev Singh, who lives in Canada and is also an extraordinary runner. She took up running under the encouragement of her son, who is 75-years-old himself.
Recently, Kaur won a Gold Medal each in the 100 and 200-meter categories in the World Masters Athletic Championship in Sacramento, USA through the Masters Athletic Federation of India. She is rightly called the ‘Golden Girl of India’. While not a marathoner, it is still an amazing achievement by an amazing woman.
Son Gurudev Singh said, “In 2008, I went to Canada for the World Masters Championship where I saw a participant named Olga who was 90-years-old. It was then that I convinced my mother to take up athletics as I knew her fitness levels.”
Together with her son, Mann Kaur is gearing up to participate in this year’s Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. It’s a first time at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon for both of them and Mann is all excited to run that extra mile with her son.
Talking about her participation in the event, Mann Kaur said, “I feel privileged to have represented India at the World Masters Athletic Championship. This year, my son and I are participating in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and I am really excited. It’s a message for all the people around – Have Feet, Will Run, Have Will, Will Triumph!”
Inspiring accounts such as these will definitely stir a growing interest in the minds and bodies of many senior citizens to stay active and participate in such events.
