An inspiration at the age of 100

A 100-year-old man had no problem keeping up with younger runners who are training for a marathon in Dubai.

The Dubai Creek Striders said they had "a rare moment" yesterday, running more than four kilometres with the centenarian marathoner Fauja Singh.

"It is rare to get to run in the rain and that too with a 100-year-old man," said Malcolm Murphy, the president of the club. "He ran the same pace as we did all the way. If I can do it at that age, it would be tremendous."

Members of the group, who are training for the Dubai marathon in January, said they had learnt over the weekend that Mr Singh was visiting and would be willing to do a short run. The group chose the route at the World Trade Centre because it was quiet.

"Living at 100 is great," said Rajesh Kanjilimadom, another runner. "But running at that age is even greater. Today's run is only for him."