World’s Oldest Marathon Runner’ Passes Away
New Delhi, India: Fauja Singh, who was thought to be the oldest distance runner globally, has tragically passed away in a traffic accident at the age of 114, as confirmed by his biographer on Tuesday.
Singh, an Indian-born British citizen famously known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” succumbed to injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar district of Punjab state on Monday.
“My Turbaned Tornado is no longer with us,” Khushwant Singh, Fauja’s biographer, posted on X.
“He was hit by an unknown vehicle while crossing the road in his village of Bias. Rest in peace, my beloved Fauja.”
Although he lacked a birth certificate, his family asserts that he was born on April 1, 1911.
He continued to run full marathons (42 kilometers) until he reached the age of 100.
His final race took place during the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon when he participated at age 101, completing a 10-kilometer (six-mile) course in one hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
Singh gained international fame after beginning his journey into distance running at the age of 89 following the deaths of his wife and one son; this was sparked by watching marathons on television.
While he is often recognized as the world’s oldest marathon runner, Guinness World Records did not officially validate this claim due to his inability to provide proof of age—birth certificates were not issued during British colonial rule when he was born.
Singh had the honor of being a torchbearer for the Olympics during both Athens in 2004 and London in 2012 and featured in advertisements alongside sports icons like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
His remarkable energy and vigor were attributed to routine farm walks and a diet rich in Indian sweets called “laddu,” which are made with dry fruits and home-made yogurt.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media.
“Fauja Singh stood out due to his unique character and how he motivated India’s youth regarding fitness,” Modi stated on X.
“He was an extraordinary athlete with immense resolve. I am saddened by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and numerous fans worldwide.”
