Fauja Singh during the 2011 Toronto
Waterfront Marathon, where he completed 42km at age 100.
Fauja Singh, globally celebrated as the
world’s oldest marathon runner, tragically died at the age of 114 after being
struck by a vehicle near his hometown of Beas Pind in Punjab, India, on July
14, 2025.
Singh was attempting to cross a road when
he was hit by an unidentified vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital in Jalandhar
with critical head injuries and passed away hours later. Local authorities have
launched an investigation into the hit-and-run, with a First Information Report
(FIR) filed and efforts ongoing to locate the driver.
Singh carried the Olympic torch during the
2012 London Games at 101 years old.
Affectionately known as the "Turbaned
Tornado," Singh didn’t begin running until age 89. He took up the sport to
deal with grief after losing his wife and one of his sons.
His first marathon was the 2000 London
Marathon, which he completed in under 7 hours. In 2011, Singh became the first
person over 100 to complete a full marathon in Toronto, finishing the
42-kilometer race in 8 hours and 11 minutes—though the Guinness World Records
didn’t verify it due to lack of birth documentation.
Throughout his running career, Singh became
a global symbol of vitality, resilience, and lifelong purpose. He was featured
in Adidas ads, carried the Olympic torch in both Athens (2004) and London
(2012), and inspired countless senior citizens to embrace physical activity.
His medals were more than metal—they were
milestones in defying age.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid
tribute, saying: "Fauja Singh was more than a runner. He was a force of
nature and an icon of determination." His UK-based running club, Sikhs in
the City, announced a memorial marathon and the launch of a community clubhouse
in his honor.
Singh is survived by his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His legacy proves that the human
spirit, when fueled by passion and purpose, knows no age limits.
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