Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, who captured global admiration for completing long-distance races well past the age of 100, has died at 114 years old in a tragic hit-and-run accident in India.
A Life of Resilience and Running
Born in 1911 in the village of Beas, Punjab, India, Singh overcame significant challenges from an early age. As a child, he was unable to walk until the age of five due to leg weakness. However, he would go on to become a global symbol of endurance, strength, and perseverance.
Singh moved to London later in life and began marathon running at the age of 89, following the devastating loss of his wife and son. He credited running with helping him heal emotionally:
“Running showed me kindness and brought me back to life by making me forget all my traumas and sorrows,” he told CNN at the age of 102.
The “Turbaned Tornado”
Nicknamed the “Turbaned Tornado”, Singh completed nine marathons, including the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he set a personal best of 5 hours and 40 minutes in 2003. In 2011, at the age of 100, he became the first centenarian on record to finish a full marathon, clocking 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds.
Despite these extraordinary achievements, Guinness World Records never officially recognized him due to a lack of a birth certificate—a common issue for people born in rural India during British colonial rule.
Still, Singh earned global respect and even carried the torch during the 2012 London Olympics. He retired from racing after completing a 10K run in Hong Kong in 2013.
The Tragic End
According to Punjab police, Singh was walking along a road near his village in Beas when he was struck by an unknown vehicle on Monday. He sustained head and rib injuries and was rushed to Shrimann Hospital in Jalandhar, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Jalandhar Rural SSP Harvinder Singh Virk confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect, a 26-year-old man with ties to Canada, was identified through CCTV footage and arrested on Tuesday. The case is being prosecuted under charges of negligent driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
National Mourning and Tributes
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes across the country, calling Singh:
“An exceptional athlete with incredible determination.”
The running community, political leaders, and the public across both India and the diaspora mourned the loss of a man whose story inspired millions.
Legacy Beyond Records
Despite not having an official Guinness title, Singh’s legacy lives on in sports history, Sikh pride, and the global fitness community. He received a personal letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday, and his life story has been the subject of multiple documentaries and tributes.
He often spoke about his passion for running:
“I am very fond of my running shoes, I absolutely love them. I wear them for pleasure. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
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