Fauja Singh, the Legendary ‘Turbaned Tornado’, Passes Away at 114
The world bids farewell to one of the most iconic figures in marathon history – Fauja Singh, the inspirational centenarian runner from Punjab and the United Kingdom, who passed away on recently in an unfortunate hit-and-run case while out for a walk. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Jalandhar, Punjab after reportedly being struck by an unidentified vehicle in his native village, Beas.
The renowned author and journalist Khushwant Singh, who penned Fauja’s extraordinary life in the biography The Turbaned Tornado, confirmed the news of his demise through his social media account too.
Who Was Fauja Singh?
Born on April 1, 1911, in the pre-partitioned region of Beas Pind, Punjab, Fauja Singh lived a life that defied expectations and broke records. His childhood was fraught with physical challenges – couldn’t walk until the age of five, leading many to believe he was disabled. However, Fauja’s determination turned the tide of his destiny upside down.
As a young man, he took to farming to support his family, leading a rather humble life. But after the loss of his wife and son in the early 1990s, he relocated to East London in 1992, where he moved in with his surviving children. Grief-stricken and looking for solace, Singh discovered long-distance running as a therapeutic alternative. What began as a distraction soon turned into a global phenomenon.
A Global Star
Fauja Singh’s official running journey began at the extraordinary age of 89. He ran his first marathon in 2000, proving that it’s never too late to start over. He quickly earned the nickname ‘Turbaned Tornado’ for his sheer energy and unyielding stamina. Over the years, he completed a record-holding nine full marathons, including iconic races in London, Toronto, and New York.
He remains a world record holder in multiple age categories and owns five British athletic records, making him a symbol of human endurance and pure willpower. In 2011, he became the oldest person ever to run a full marathon, although Guinness World Records did not recognize the achievement due to the lack of a birth certificate from 1911.
- Fauja Singh wasn’t just a sports icon – he was also a beacon of peace, perseverance, and positivity.
- In 2012, he proudly served as a torchbearer during the London Olympics, a moment that solidified his place in the hearts of millions.
- In 2013, he ran his final competitive 26-mile race in Hong Kong at the unforgettable age of 101 and then retired from competitive running, though he remained active in various community initiatives.
- Singh was also the oldest individual to feature in a PETA campaign, promoting vegetarianism and kindness to animals.
- His charismatic presence also landed him a part in a global campaign for a top sportswear brand alongside sporting icons like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali – a testimony to his universal appeal.
On January 1, 2015, Fauja Singh was honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his outstanding contribution to sports and for being a role model to seniors and the South Asian diaspora.
Fauja Singh was a movement in himself. Through his life, he broke stereotypes about age, strength and the limits of the human body. He inspired countless people, young and old, to take charge of their health, live with a purpose, and to never let adversity pull them down.
The accused, Amritpal Singh, has been arrested by the Punjab police, for who has been identified as a 30-year-old man who came to Punjab from Canada around eight days ago. His recent vehicle purchase was the cause of Fauja Singh being run over by the former’s speeding Toyota Fortuner, which has been seized by police for investigation. The 114-year-old had suffered severe head injuries due to the accident and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Expressing his condolences over the marathoner’s death, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann stated that Singh had made the Sikh community across the world proud with his long-distance running. As tributes pour in from around the globe, Fauja Singh’s name will forever be etched in history—not just as a runner, but as a legend who ran through pain, across continents, and into immortality.
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