At 114, oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh killed in road accident

JALANDHAR: The oldest marathon runner, nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado, one of the most famous Sikhs of these times, and a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, Indo-Briton Fauja Singh, 114, was killed in an accident on Monday evening.

He was hit by an unidentified vehicle when he was walking outside his house in the village of Beas on the Jalandhar–Pathankot national highway, and he died at a hospital in Jalandhar a few hours later.His son, Harbinder Singh, said that the accident took place around 3.30 pm, and they rushed him to a hospital on the same highway, where he succumbed to his injuries around 8 pm. He was crossing the road when the vehicle struck.

Police have registered an FIR.

As soon as the word about his death, that too in a road accident, spread, there was an outpouring of grief on Punjabi, and especially the Sikh social media space. What added to the shock was that a legendary old man died in a road accident. Akal Takht acting Jathedar Ginai Kuldeep Singh Gargaj termed him “the legendary Sikh runner of the century,” “a vibrant and spirited Sikh who brought global recognition and honour to the Sikh identity and the turban.”

“He was a source of inspiration for the entire Sikh community, especially the youth,” he said.Born in the village of Beas, Fauja Singh’s passport had his date of birth as April 1, 1911. He received a personal letter from Queen Elizabeth II, congratulating him on his 100th birthday.He was able to walk by the age of five and was considered very weak in his family. He emigrated to England in 1992 and settled with his son in East London after his wife, Gian Kaur, passed away in his village.

He was an amateur runner in his young days, but gave it up. He took to running to overcome grief after the death of his fifth son, Kuldip Singh, in August 1994, when he was already 83 years old.It was only in 2000 that, at the age of 89, he took up running seriously, and after he completed the London Marathon the same year, he shot to fame. There was no looking back, and soon he became a motivation for numerous young and old.On October 16, 2011, he became the first centenarian in the world at the Ontario Masters Association Invitational Meet to finish a marathon, and this made him the oldest marathoner.

He completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds. Before this feat, he set eight world age-group records in a single day at the same event in Birchmount Stadium in Toronto.He had several records to his credit in multiple age brackets. He ran marathons in Toronto, New York, and Mumbai and would appear during different running events to motivate the young.When he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition on November 13, 2003, for being a symbol of racial tolerance, he became the first non-American to receive the honour.

Fauja Singh was also awarded the Pride of India title in 2011.

Tributes pour in:

"Punjab and the world have lost a legend in the tragic passing of iconic athlete S. Fauja Singh in a road accident in his native village in Jalandhar at the age of 114 years. I join his fans across the globe in bidding adieu to him. Fauja Singh Ji inspired millions with his indomitable spirit. He will continue to do so even after his death. His life taught us an important lesson - that nothing is impossible.

We only need to strive to achieve our goals,” said SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal.“Sardar Fauja Singh Ji was an icon of endurance and inspiration. At 114, he was not just the world’s oldest marathon runner, but a symbol of discipline, resilience, and hope for a healthier, drug-free Punjab. His life was a testament to what commitment and clean living can achieve. His legacy will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers around the world. May his noble soul attain eternal peace,” said Hockey Olympian and MLA Pargat Singh.