International News Desk – At Home: Record Race – Around the World: Dirty Calls

International News Desk – At Home: Record Race – Around the World: Dirty Calls

At Home: Record Race

Ever watched kids racing across a schoolyard? The energy of youth is mind-boggling, but that doesn’t mean we’re doomed to an increasingly less active lifestyle. As one runner in Toronto’s waterfront marathon last weekend proved, age has nothing to do with fitness?or stamina.

As the CBC reports, Fauja Singh set a world record when he became ?the oldest person ? and the first centenarian ? to ever accomplish a run of that distance.?

Singh, who was born in India and doesn’t speak English, has been nicknamed the ?Turbaned Tornado.? This wasn’t his first record-setting run; he also holds the record for the 90-plus category for his run time during a 2003 marathon.

Surprisingly, Singh’s accomplishment wasn’t the result of a lifetime of training. In fact, he began running ?about 20 years ago??around age 80??after losing his wife and child to ?tragic circumstances.??

Despite the tragedy?which he doesn’t speak about?Singh has made a point of pursuing the good. Among his fitness secrets are ?maintaining a constant focus on the positive.? Additionally, he runs ?to raise money for local charities.?

Around the World: Dirty Calls

Cellphones pressed to the listener’s ear?It’s a common enough sight. But if concerns about cancer aren’t enough to start you using a hands-free device, consider this: your phone may be harbouring dangerous bacteria.

As the CBC reports, a recent UK study shows that ?[more] than 90 per cent of cellphones tested harboured bacteria.? And even more shockingly, ?one in six cellphones . . . had traces of E. coli bacteria from fecal matter.?

The bacteria numbers are disturbing, especially since 95 per cent of cellphone users claimed to wash their hands regularly. Although some may have been fudging the truth?and others may have poor handwashing hygiene?there’s something else at play here, too.

Dr. Ron Cutler of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine believes that the warmth emitted by cellphones makes them the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. ?As you speak on your phone too much, it heats up,? he told reporters.

Given these conditions, certain fecal bacteria ?can survive on hands and surfaces for hours? and are ?easily transferred by touch.?

It’s time to put down the phone and head for the soap and water!