Fauja Singh running the London Marathon in 2012

Goodmayes’ 101-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh has called time on his competitive career by bowing out with a 10km race in Hong Kong.

Mr Singh, believed to be the world’s oldest marathon runner, completed the 6.25 mile run in one hour, 32 minutes and 28 seconds yesterday.

He completed his ninth marathon in London last year and is believed to have become the oldest marathon runner in the world when he ran in Toronto in 2011.

His feat was not recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records because Mr Singh has a passport but not a birth certificate to prove his age.

He told the Recorder the secret of his longevity is his vegetarian diet.

He said: “I am told vegetarians tend to live an average of six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters do.

“Age may bring wisdom, but if you want stamina, endurance and a lifetime of good health, turn to nutritious vegetarian foods.”