Fauja Singh swore by linseed and a cup of tea every day to keep his body healthy and lower his cholesterol. With the London Marathon returning this weekend, thousands of athletes will be preparing to run the 26.2-mile course and could look to Singh's old words for advice.

The former athlete rediscovered his love for running at 89 and began competing in international marathons. Singh took part in the 2000 London Marathon and completed the 26.2-mile event in just under seven hours. It was reported that he was the first 100-year-old to complete a marathon when he raced in Toronto in 2011, making him the world's oldest runner. Sadly, Singh passed away in 2025 at the age of 114 after giving up racing in 2013.

Singh was set on a vegetarian diet throughout his life and stuck to eating on specific superfood every day to look after his physical health. Speaking to the Guardian in 2013 after retiring, he said: "Every day I have linseed and a cup of tea."

Linseed, also known as flaxseed, is a food that is high in dietary fibre and is sometimes sold milled. The crop is a great addition to any diet according to the British Heart Foundation, as it is a great source of omega-3 fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid.

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Adding linseed to your diet can help lower cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health. Singh also relied on other foods to keep himself healthy throughout his long life and had things he would avoid completely.

Singh added: "Before I leave home, I have plain yoghurt and two glasses of water. Lunch is one chapatti and daal [lentils] made at the gurdwara with yoghurt.

"I won't touch cauliflower, rice, or sweets made of rice as it doesn't do me any good. At home, I will have whatever is being made with my youngest son and his family. If I don't like what they're having, I'll have toast with jam or honey on it.

"And before I go to bed I will have a glass of warm milk. I also have ginger curry at least once a week which cleanses the body. If I feel ill or different, I reflect on what has changed in my diet and routine.

"I am still active, in a better shape than those who are lazy. They are deteriorating, I am maintaining it so who is the winner? Being active is like a medication. I don't want to withdraw from that medication."