Fauja Singh, the legendary British-Indian runner widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathoner, has died at the age of 114 after being struck by a vehicle while walking in his birth village of Beas Pind, Punjab.
Known globally as The Turbaned Tornado, Singh rose to fame in the running world after completing his first marathon at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by Khushwant Singh, former Punjab State Information Commissioner and author of Singh’s biography. “My Turbaned Tornado is no more,” he wrote in a heartfelt tribute on social media.
According to The New Indian Express, Singh’s son, Harvinder, said his father was out for a walk when an unidentified vehicle hit him. Despite being rushed to a nearby private hospital, he succumbed to head injuries.
Singh, who resided in East London since 1992, made headlines after finishing the 2000 London Marathon in six hours and 54 minutes, setting a record for his age group. His personal best came three years later in Toronto, clocking five hours and 40 minutes. He became the first centenarian believed to complete a full marathon in 2011, also in Toronto.
Though Guinness World Records could not officially recognise Singh as the oldest marathon runner due to the absence of a birth certificate—common for those born in rural India in 1911—his passport listed his birthdate as April 1, 1911. He also received a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth on his 100th birthday.
Singh retired from competitive running at the age of 101 and was a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics. His running club and charity, Sikhs in the City, announced plans to honour his legacy through events and the construction of a Fauja Singh Clubhouse in Ilford, the UK neighbourhood where he trained.
“Dearest runners. It is with great sadness that we can confirm our icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity Fauja Singh has passed away in India,” said his longtime coach Harmander Singh.
Singh’s remarkable story—from his roots in British-ruled Punjab to inspiring generations across the globe—continues to shine as a beacon of resilience, discipline, and determination.
