Fauja Singh, Marathon Legend Who Defied Age, Dies at 114 in Road Accident

Fauja Singh, the iconic marathon runner who stunned the world by completing full marathons well past the age of 100, has died in a tragic road accident in Punjab. He was 114.

Fondly known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle while walking near his native village of Beas in Jalandhar district, Punjab. Despite immediate medical attention at Mahaweli Hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.

Born on April 1, 1911, Singh overcame a frail childhood to become an international symbol of endurance and positivity. He immigrated to England in 1993, where he began running in local parks to cope with personal grief following the death of his wife. His life changed after he met marathon coach Harmandar Singh, who trained him for his first London Marathon in 2000, which he completed at age 89 in 6 hours and 54 minutes.

From 2000 to 2012, Fauja Singh ran nine full marathons including six in London, two in Toronto, and one in New York. His most famous feat came in 2011, when at age 100, he completed the Toronto Marathon, making global headlines. He ran his final full marathon in London in 2012, and continued participating in shorter races until 2013.

He became the face of Adidas’s “Impossible is Nothing” campaign, appearing alongside sporting legends like Muhammad Ali and David Beckham. A deeply spiritual man, Singh attributed his strength to Waheguru, and followed a simple lifestyle of farm walks, home-cooked vegetarian food, and prayer.

In 2015, Fauja Singh received the British Empire Medal for services to sports and charity. He was also a torchbearer for the London Olympics and received the Ellis Island Medal of Honour in the United States in 2013.

His biographer Khushwant Singh, who authored Turbaned Tornado, recalled Fauja Singh as a selfless and inspiring figure. “He gave back to society with every step he ran. Even when he was honoured in Australia, he placed all the money in the gurdwara offering box.”

Fauja Singh had remained active in philanthropy throughout his life, raising funds for various global charities. In his hometown of Ilford, London, a campaign has begun to raise funds for a clubhouse in his memory, with contributions of £114 from supporters worldwide to celebrate each year of his life.

His son Harvinder Singh said, “He believed that air and earth gave him life. His spirit will remain with us.”

Fauja Singh’s remarkable journey from a quiet Punjabi village to global athletic fame has left an indelible mark on the world of sport and human resilience.