Septuagenarian believes walking is best for good health
27 February, 2026 – Amritsar : Veteran athlete Jarnail Singh (75) continues to earn name and fame despite his advancing years. Despite his age, he continues to participate in events to inspire the young and old to exercise and stay fit.
On February 22, he participated in a 10-km race at Attari border, organised by the Border Security Force (BSF). In September, he took part in a seashore 5-km open race at Hamilton in Toronto and another 5-km open race organised by Canada’s Medical University. He came back to India on September 28.
He ran in the races organised for veterans in the 2023 edition of Kheda Watan Punjab Deyan in Amritsar and Jalandhar besides Amritsar and Ludhiana in its 2024 edition.
At an age when people battle with health-related problems, ailments and infirmity, Jarnail breaks all stereotypes. Talking to Amritsar Tribune, he said, “My entire focus is on improving my running speed, which has been increasing appreciably. I compete with athletes in above 40 years category as there is no upper limit. Many of the participants are almost half my age.”
He has been taking part in all major veteran games for the past many years. He finished the 10-km marathon in 77 minutes, which was conducted by the Border Security Force last month in 2022. He clinched third position in the 3-km walk (50 years above category) in the Kheda Watan Punjab Deyan.
He participated in 10-km km run at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2017. He performed well in the Super Sikh Run – Half Marathon (21 km) in New Delhi in 2016 and 10th CT Half Marathon on March 5, 2017, in Amritsar. A resident of Rani Ka Bagh, he also took part in the Amritsar police’s five-km Martyr Run in October 2017.
In 2016, he took part in various long distance races to test his endurance at such a ripe age. He participated in the 10-km Seventh Champion Run held at Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, besides in 10-km New Delhi Run, organised by Hindustan Marathon. He completed the veteran men’s 10.5-km walk in 01:18:14 hours in Yamuna Quarter Marathon in March.
In 2015, he participated in the 10-km walk in Karnal. He had bagged fifth position in the 4.5 km Great Karnal Run last May. He successfully completed the “Fastest 10-km” organised by Vikaspuri Runners on June 7, 2015, at Dwarka, Sector 11, New Delhi and received the compliment of “you are an awesome runner, may you run forever and do ever better”. He also stood first in a five-km walk, covering the distance in 32:39:06 in the Veterans Athletics Meet, in 2014. His first stint was in the 32nd Punjab Masters Athletics Championship held at Banga in 2014.
A confident Jarnail is an inspiration for the young and veterans alike. Hailing from Hashimpura village in Ajnala sub-division, he shifted to the city in 1985. For him, walking is the best possible way to maintain good health.
The Tribune