Who was the youngest person ever to complete a marathon?

As of my last update in September 2021, the youngest person to officially complete a marathon is Budhia Singh from India. Born on April 1, 2002, Budhia Singh gained widespread attention for his remarkable feat at an incredibly young age.

Budhia Singh's journey into the world of marathon running began when he was just a four-year-old boy living in poverty in the state of Odisha, India. He was discovered by Biranchi Das, a judo coach, who initially took him under his wing to train in judo. However, Das soon noticed Budhia's extraordinary endurance and running ability during training sessions.

Recognizing the boy's talent and hoping to provide him with a better life, Biranchi shifted his focus from judo to long-distance running. He began training Budhia for marathon races, pushing him to run increasingly longer distances.

On May 2, 2006, at the age of four years and 10 months, Budhia Singh completed his first marathon, covering a distance of approximately 40 miles (65 kilometers) from Puri to Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. The feat brought him international attention and made headlines worldwide.

However, his extraordinary achievements also sparked controversy and concern. Many questioned whether it was appropriate to subject such a young child to such extreme physical demands, raising concerns about his health and well-being. The Indian government intervened, and Budhia was placed in a state-run sports hostel to ensure his proper care and education.

In the years that followed, Budhia's running career faced several challenges and legal disputes regarding child rights and welfare. His coach, Biranchi Das, was tragically murdered in 2008, further complicating the situation.

Since then, there have been no further updates on Budhia Singh's running career or whether he pursued marathons as he grew older. It's essential to consider that any information beyond September 2021 may require further research to provide the most current and accurate details about Budhia Singh's life and achievements.

Photo: Pixabay (free)