Remembering Fauja Singh – The Legend Who Ran Through Life
It’s a somber moment for the world of sport and humanity alike. Fauja Singh, the incredible man known as the world’s oldest marathon runner, has passed away at the remarkable age of 114. His death wasn’t a peaceful one—he was struck in a tragic hit-and-run accident while walking near his ancestral home in Beas Pind, Punjab. The news is heartbreaking, not just because we lost an inspiring athlete, but because we lost a symbol of resilience, humility, and unbreakable spirit.
Fauja Singh didn’t just run marathons—he ran through barriers, expectations, and age itself. He didn’t start his journey as a runner until he was 89 years old. Imagine that—most people at that age are thinking about rest, but Fauja was just getting started. Between 2000 and 2013, he completed nine full marathons, including one in Toronto at age 100, which made global headlines. Though Guinness World Records couldn’t officially recognize him due to missing documentation from 1911 India, the world knew his truth: he was a living legend.
His journey into running was born from pain. After the loss of his wife and later his younger son, Singh moved to London to live with family. In the grip of grief, he found solace in movement. He met a group of senior runners at a gurdwara and crossed paths with Harmander Singh, who would become his coach and lifelong friend. That partnership turned Fauja’s personal healing into a global mission.
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Fauja Singh became a beacon of hope for many—donning his turban proudly, sticking to a simple vegetarian diet, and living a disciplined life. His famous quote still echoes: “Eating less, running more, and staying happy.” His humility never left him, even as he became the face of Adidas’s “Impossible is Nothing” campaign alongside Muhammad Ali.
He ran not for fame or fortune, but for purpose. He ran for causes, for charities, for children. He ran to inspire. And he did exactly that. His nickname, “Turbaned Tornado,” wasn’t just catchy—it was earned.
Even into his final years, Fauja remained active. When the BBC visited him just a month ago, he was walking miles daily and expressing hope to return to London to see his family and friends. He showed no signs of slowing down—until life abruptly stopped him on a village road.
Tributes have poured in from all over. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him “an exceptional athlete with incredible determination.” His coach called him “a powerhouse of positivity.” His community in Ilford, where he trained and lived since 1992, will now celebrate his life through upcoming runs, with every mile honoring the man who redefined aging and perseverance.
Fauja Singh wasn’t just a marathon runner. He was a message. A message that it’s never too late to start, that pain can be channeled into purpose, and that the human spirit—when paired with faith and discipline—can outrun time itself.
Rest in power, Fauja Singh. Your race may be over, but your legacy will keep running.
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