Fauja Singh, who earned global respect as the world’s oldest marathon runner, has died at 114. Local police in Punjab said Singh was hit by a vehicle while walking near his home in Beas village, close to Jalandhar. He suffered severe head injuries and died in hospital soon after. Sikhs in the City, his London-based running club, confirmed his death. Police say they are still searching for the driver.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, saying Singh was “extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness.” Modi added, “He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
Marathon man against the odds
Singh’s story is one of grit and unlikely triumph. Born in 1911 in Punjab, he grew up in a farming family. His age-defying running career began much later in life, but loss pushed him to lace up his shoes. His wife and son died within a short time of each other. The death of his son Kuldip in 1994 struck him deeply. Singh and Kuldip were checking fields during a storm when wind-blown metal decapitated Kuldip in front of his father.
“He didn't think his life was worth living without his son,” said his coach Harmander Singh.
Left alone as his other children had settled abroad, Singh moved to London to live with his youngest son. There he found solace among the Sikh community. At local tournaments, he joined sprints and met marathon runners who urged him to try longer distances. Seeing a marathon on television sealed the deal. He was 89 when he ran the London Marathon in 2000.
Records, races and recognition
He went on to run eight more full marathons. In 2011, he became the oldest person believed to complete a full marathon, running in Toronto at 100. Guinness World Records did not recognise his feat because he had no birth certificate to prove his age. His British passport showed his date of birth as 1 April 1911, but records were not kept in his village then.
Singh also carried the Olympic torch in London in 2012. His best time came at the 2003 Toronto Marathon when he finished in 5 hours and 40 minutes. He ran his final race at 101, completing the Hong Kong Marathon’s 10-kilometre stretch in just over 90 minutes.
“From a tragedy has come a lot of success and happiness,” Singh once said.
When he retired, he made a simple wish: “People will remember me and not forget me.” He hoped to be invited to events even though he no longer raced, saying he wanted to be remembered “rather than forget me altogether just because I don't run anymore.”
A life fueled by simple food
Singh often spoke about how he stayed so strong so late in life. He credited his diet and routine above all else. In a blog for Petassia.com, he wrote, “I'm the oldest marathon runner in the world. Just three weeks after my 101st birthday, I ran the London Marathon in seven hours and 49 minutes. I've completed eight other marathons in the past 12 years, including the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which I ran when I was 100 years old. How do I do it? Simple: firstly, I eat only vegetarian foods.”
He believed vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters. He kept his food local and fresh. “I also walk or jog every day. Age may bring wisdom, but if you want stamina, endurance, and a lifetime of good health, turn to nutritious vegetarian foods,” Singh wrote.
He added, “I've been predominantly vegetarian my whole life. In the Sikh religion, we eat to live, not live to eat. In Punjab, the green belt of India where I'm originally from, most people eat what they grow – I attribute my longevity to simple Punjabi vegetarian foods.”
Fauja Singh’s story is a reminder that age is sometimes just a number. He turned grief into movement and became a symbol of strength for people of all ages. His last wish was for people not to forget him.
With millions inspired by his running shoes and simple meals, that wish looks safe for a long time to come. Police are still looking for the driver who ended Singh’s final walk. But the Turbaned Tornado’s story will keep running on.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, saying Singh was “extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness.” Modi added, “He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
Marathon man against the odds
Singh’s story is one of grit and unlikely triumph. Born in 1911 in Punjab, he grew up in a farming family. His age-defying running career began much later in life, but loss pushed him to lace up his shoes. His wife and son died within a short time of each other. The death of his son Kuldip in 1994 struck him deeply. Singh and Kuldip were checking fields during a storm when wind-blown metal decapitated Kuldip in front of his father.
“He didn't think his life was worth living without his son,” said his coach Harmander Singh.
Left alone as his other children had settled abroad, Singh moved to London to live with his youngest son. There he found solace among the Sikh community. At local tournaments, he joined sprints and met marathon runners who urged him to try longer distances. Seeing a marathon on television sealed the deal. He was 89 when he ran the London Marathon in 2000.
Records, races and recognition
He went on to run eight more full marathons. In 2011, he became the oldest person believed to complete a full marathon, running in Toronto at 100. Guinness World Records did not recognise his feat because he had no birth certificate to prove his age. His British passport showed his date of birth as 1 April 1911, but records were not kept in his village then.
Singh also carried the Olympic torch in London in 2012. His best time came at the 2003 Toronto Marathon when he finished in 5 hours and 40 minutes. He ran his final race at 101, completing the Hong Kong Marathon’s 10-kilometre stretch in just over 90 minutes.
“From a tragedy has come a lot of success and happiness,” Singh once said.
When he retired, he made a simple wish: “People will remember me and not forget me.” He hoped to be invited to events even though he no longer raced, saying he wanted to be remembered “rather than forget me altogether just because I don't run anymore.”
A life fueled by simple food
Singh often spoke about how he stayed so strong so late in life. He credited his diet and routine above all else. In a blog for Petassia.com, he wrote, “I'm the oldest marathon runner in the world. Just three weeks after my 101st birthday, I ran the London Marathon in seven hours and 49 minutes. I've completed eight other marathons in the past 12 years, including the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which I ran when I was 100 years old. How do I do it? Simple: firstly, I eat only vegetarian foods.”
He believed vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters. He kept his food local and fresh. “I also walk or jog every day. Age may bring wisdom, but if you want stamina, endurance, and a lifetime of good health, turn to nutritious vegetarian foods,” Singh wrote.
He added, “I've been predominantly vegetarian my whole life. In the Sikh religion, we eat to live, not live to eat. In Punjab, the green belt of India where I'm originally from, most people eat what they grow – I attribute my longevity to simple Punjabi vegetarian foods.”
Fauja Singh’s story is a reminder that age is sometimes just a number. He turned grief into movement and became a symbol of strength for people of all ages. His last wish was for people not to forget him.
With millions inspired by his running shoes and simple meals, that wish looks safe for a long time to come. Police are still looking for the driver who ended Singh’s final walk. But the Turbaned Tornado’s story will keep running on.
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