Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest known marathon runner and a global symbol of endurance, has tragically passed away at the age of 114 in a hit-and-run incident in Punjab, India. Singh, who earned global fame for completing marathons well past his 100th birthday, was affectionately known as the “Turbaned Tornado.”
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The incident occurred near Singh’s native village of Beas in northwestern Punjab. According to police reports, Singh was walking when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. He was rushed to Srimann Hospital in Jalandhar with serious injuries to his head and ribs but could not survive. Authorities have launched an investigation and are reviewing local CCTV footage to identify the vehicle responsible.
Born in 1911 in rural India — decades before India’s independence — Singh overcame childhood health issues that left him unable to walk until the age of five. After moving to London in his late 80s, devastated by the loss of his wife and son, Singh took up running not as a sport, but as therapy.
“Running showed me kindness and brought me back to life by making me forget all my traumas and sorrows,” Singh told CNN in a heartfelt interview when he was 102.
With less than a year of training, Singh completed his first marathon at the age of 89. His personal best came in 2003 when he ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in an impressive 5 hours and 40 minutes.
In 2011, at the age of 100, Fauja Singh became the first centenarian believed to have finished a full marathon. Although Guinness World Records did not officially recognize his accomplishment due to the absence of a birth certificate, his achievements were celebrated around the world.
His last race was in 2013 — a 10-kilometer run in Hong Kong — after which he retired from competitive racing. One of his most iconic moments came when he carried the Olympic torch ahead of the London 2012 Games.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes to Singh, calling him “an exceptional athlete with incredible determination.” Across the world, fans, runners, and admirers have expressed grief and gratitude, remembering the elderly athlete who defied age and redefined human limits.
Despite the global fame and accolades, Fauja Singh remained humble, always crediting his health and longevity to a simple lifestyle, discipline, and his deep love for running.
“I am very fond of my running shoes,” he once said. “I absolutely love them. I wear them for pleasure. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
Fauja Singh’s journey from a frail child in rural India to a centenarian marathoner has become a legend — not just of physical endurance, but of human resilience, purpose, and passion.
Though no longer among us, his story will continue to inspire countless people across generations and geographies. The world has lost not just a runner, but a rare soul who proved that it’s never too late to start — or to keep going.
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