Legendary Marathon Runner Passes Away in Punjab at Age 114

Fauja Singh, a British-Indian marathon legend known for running races well past the age of 100, has tragically passed away at 114. He died on Monday in Beas Pind, his ancestral village in Punjab, India, after being struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing a road.

Local residents rushed Singh to a nearby hospital, but he could not survive the injuries. Police are actively searching for the driver responsible for the hit-and-run accident.

An Inspirational Journey That Began at 89

Fauja Singh’s life is nothing short of inspirational. He began his marathon journey at the age of 89 and went on to complete nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013, when he officially retired. He became a global symbol of perseverance, often called the “Turbaned Tornado.”

Singh made headlines worldwide for completing a full marathon in Toronto at age 100. Though Guinness World Records didn’t certify the achievement due to the lack of a birth certificate from 1911, his British passport showed his birthdate as 1 April 1911, and he even received a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday.

Tributes from Around the World

Tributes poured in after news of his death:

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him an “exceptional athlete with incredible determination.”

• British MP Preet Kaur Gill said Singh’s “discipline, simple living, and deep humility” left a lasting impression.

• Ilford MP Jas Athwal said Singh’s “spirit and legacy of resilience will run on forever.”

His running club, Sikhs In The City, announced that all its events until March 29, 2026, including the Fauja Singh Birthday Challenge, will honor his memory. The group also plans to build the Fauja Singh Clubhouse in Ilford, where he used to train.

Early Life: From Weak Beginnings to World Recognition

Born in 1911 in Beas Pind, Punjab, Singh was a frail child who could not walk properly until age five. He spent most of his life as a farmer, unaware of what a marathon even was.

After losing his wife Gian Kaur in the early 1990s, he moved to London to live with his son. Tragically, while visiting India, Singh witnessed the accidental death of his younger son, which devastated him deeply.

To cope with grief, he turned to running—a decision that changed his life.

A Marathon Legend Is Born

Singh’s running career started with the 2000 London Marathon, just before his 89th birthday. Running for the BLISS charity, which supports premature babies, his motto was:

“Oldest running for the youngest – may they live as long as I have.”

He insisted on wearing his turban during races, saying it was non-negotiable. Race organizers eventually agreed, and Singh completed the race in just under seven hours.

Singh’s performance improved year after year. At the 2003 Toronto Marathon, he slashed over an hour from his time, finishing in 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Trained by a Dedicated Coach

Much of Singh’s success was thanks to his coach, Harmander Singh, who structured his training and tracked his progress.

“Whatever I achieved is because of his training,” Fauja once said. “He made me run uphill in London, and that built my strength.”

Singh would often visit the gurdwara (Sikh temple) after training, where he received both dietary support and emotional encouragement from the community.

A Global Icon and Endorsement Star

Fauja Singh gained worldwide fame when he became part of Adidas’ 2004 “Impossible is Nothing” campaign alongside Muhammad Ali. He was later invited to run in Pakistan’s first marathon in 2005 and visited Buckingham Palace in 2006 at Queen Elizabeth’s invitation.

Over the years, Singh gave away most of his earnings to charities, focusing on children’s health, community projects, and elderly care.

The Secret to Longevity

Singh credited his long life and energy to a simple formula:

“Eat less, run more, and stay happy.”

When interviewed by the BBC in June 2025, he was still walking several miles daily, saying, “You must take care of your body. Nobody else will.”

He had plans to return to London soon to reunite with his family and coach.

A Life That Inspired Millions

Fauja Singh’s life is a testament to the power of willpower, discipline, and purpose. He turned his pain into purpose and inspired people worldwide—young and old—to never give up.

His legacy lives on not only through records and medals but also in the hearts of millions who saw in him the true spirit of human endurance.