Fauja Singh Struck by Vehicle in Punjab Village
On July 14, 2025, Fauja Singh, the Indian-born British national widely regarded as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died at the age of 114 after being hit by a vehicle near his birthplace in Beas Pind, Punjab. Singh, known globally as the “Turbaned Tornado,” was crossing a road when the accident occurred.
He was rushed to Shrimann Hospital in Jalandhar with serious head and rib injuries but succumbed shortly after. Local police arrested a 26-year-old suspect the following day after reviewing CCTV footage. Authorities have charged the accused with negligent driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The driver, reportedly a resident of Canada, is now in custody.
A Late Start to a Legendary Career
Singh only began distance running at age 89, shortly after losing his wife and a son. What began as a personal coping mechanism quickly evolved into a record-setting running career. He completed his first marathon in London in just under seven hours in 2000 and soon became a fixture in international racing.
He finished the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon in five hours and 40 minutes, his personal best. Two years later, Singh became the first recorded centenarian to run a full marathon, completing the same event in over eight hours. Although he was never officially recognized by Guinness World Records due to lack of a birth certificate—common in British colonial India—Singh’s feats are globally acknowledged.
Legacy of Endurance and Positivity
Singh, also known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” rose to fame in both athletics and popular culture. He carried the Olympic torch at the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Games and appeared in global ad campaigns alongside stars like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
His longevity and strength were often attributed to his active lifestyle and simple vegetarian diet, which included dry fruit-packed Indian sweets and homemade curd. He continued to run short races into his second century, participating in his final race—a 10km run—in Hong Kong in 2013 at age 101.
Tributes Pour In
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led nationwide tributes, praising Singh’s discipline, humility, and influence on youth fitness.
Singh’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from sports communities in both India and the UK, where he lived in East London.
His longtime running group, Sikhs in the City, confirmed his passing and announced plans to commemorate his life with future activities. Singh, often cited as proof that age is just a number, leaves behind a legacy of resilience, hope, and boundless determination.
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@citynewsto World’s oldest marathon runner killed at 114 in hit-and-run. #FYP #MarathonRunning #FaujaSingh
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