-
Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, died at 114 in a road accident.
-
He began running at 89 and kept going past 100.
-
His life showed it’s never too late to achieve greatness.
A vehicle struck World’s Oldest Marathon Runner, Fauja Singh, as he crossed a road in his home village of Bias, in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.
Also Read: 150 Athletes to Compete at Maiden Ogulagha Marathon
He died instantly at 114. His biographer, Khushwant Singh, broke the news on X:
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
“My Turbaned Tornado is no more.”
Singh’s family placed his birth on April 1, 1911, under the British Raj, but no official record exists.
He laced up his running shoes at 89, driven by televised marathons and the loss of his wife and a son.
Singh conquered full marathons until he turned 100.
At 101, Fauja Singh crossed the finish line of the 10 km race at the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
He proudly carried the Olympic torch in Athens in 2004 and again in London in 2012.
He appeared in fitness campaigns with icons like Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, showing that age was never a barrier to greatness.
He attributed his physical resilience to habitual farm walks and a diet comprising dry‐fruit laddu and freshly churned curd.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a condolence statement on X:
“Fauja 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. 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.”
