72-Year-Old Sikh Runner Defies Age in NYC Marathon

Every week, without fail, 72-year-old Satnam Parhar of Cedarhurst and his dedicated group of friends convene in Alley Pond Park in Queens to rigorously train for the annual TCS New York City Marathon. Before the upcoming race on Sunday, Parhar rallied his companions for a final practice run, emphasizing that for him, the marathon represents the pinnacle day of the year. Throughout his 14 years of participation, Parhar estimates he has exchanged high-fives with thousands of spectators along the iconic five-borough route. However, the profound essence of his endeavor lies in representing his Sikh faith.

Parhar passionately states, "I want people to know we exist." This year, a contingent of ten runners will proudly participate in bright orange turbans and matching T-shirts boldly emblazoned with "Sikhs in America." Parhar has dedicated himself to community engagement, from his tenure as president of the India Association of Long Island to his 2015 bid for the New York City Council's District 23 seat. His mission has always been to foster familiarity with Sikhs and their core values, and he firmly believes that running the marathon has significantly heightened awareness of his community.

Recalling earlier experiences, Parhar shared, "When I first came to Massapequa with the turban ... people didn’t know who Sikhs were." He described instances of being misidentified and subjected to derogatory remarks. "Now, times have changed, but some people still don’t know who we are. ... That’s the main reason we try to run with the turbans." Avtar Singh Tinna, 76, of Queens, echoed these sentiments, noting that over time, spectators have begun to recognize him and other Sikh runners on marathon day.

Parhar credits Tinna as the initial inspiration for his running journey. When Parhar’s son and Tinna’s daughter married, the new in-laws chose a celebratory run over a traditional drink. Parhar jovially recounts the unconventional agreement: "The funny part was, he said: ‘I will agree to the wedding if you start running.’ So I had no choice." Both men affirm that running has become an integral aspect of their Sikh faith, which is anchored by three fundamental pillars: naam japna (meditation), kirat karni (honest work), and vand chhako (sharing with others).

While some members of the group find running to be a meditative experience, Parhar highlighted that their participation also serves to underscore the importance of maintaining good physical health, alongside educating others about the guiding values of their faith. Tinna personally attributes his sustained health over the years to running and has sought to instill this valuable practice in his loved ones. Over time, the demanding training for the marathon has blossomed into a powerful bonding experience for the group.

Tinna articulates the communal spirit: "The whole year we practice, we run, we sweat. But during the marathon, we don’t look at the watch. We communicate with each other. It’s fun." For those not yet prepared for the formidable 26-mile distance, Parhar and Tinna co-organized the annual Vaisakhi 5K run, an event held every April since 2013 in tribute to Fauja Singh, widely recognized as the world's oldest marathon runner. Harjinder Singh, 37, of Bellerose, further elaborates on the spiritual dimension, stating, "There’s a whole meditative spiritual aspect to running, and I think that’s one thing Sikh runners resonate with."

Regardless of whether they are first-time marathoners or seasoned veterans, Parhar's earnest hope is that his peers prioritize health and togetherness. He stresses that the endeavor is not about winning, noting that he typically completes the race within 7 hours and 30 minutes. Scheduled for the 10:55 a.m. time slot on Sunday and wearing number 47556, Parhar eagerly anticipates connecting with familiar faces in the crowd and introducing his community to new ones. He proudly declares, "We’re so proud to do this."