Fauja Singh, the legendary Indian-born British runner believed to be the world’s oldest distance runner, has died at the age of 114 following a road accident, his biographer confirmed on Tuesday.
Nicknamed the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle on Monday while crossing the road in his native village of Bias, located in Punjab’s Jalandhar district.
“My Turbaned Tornado is no more,” his biographer, Khushwant Singh, posted on X. “He was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road… Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”
Although he had no official birth certificate, Singh’s family maintained that he was born on April 1, 1911. He rose to global fame for his extraordinary endurance and passion for running, completing full marathons (42 km) until the age of 100. His final race came in 2013 at the Hong Kong Marathon, where the then 101-year-old completed a 10-kilometre run in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
Remarkably, Singh only took up running at the age of 89, following the loss of his wife and one of his sons. Inspired by televised marathons, he found healing and purpose in the sport, quickly earning admiration around the world.
Despite being widely acknowledged as the oldest marathon runner, Singh was never officially recognized by Guinness World Records due to the absence of verifiable birth documentation—a common issue for those born in colonial India.
Over the years, he became a cultural icon, appearing in major ad campaigns alongside global stars like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali, and serving as a torchbearer at both the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics.
Singh credited his longevity and strength to a simple lifestyle rooted in daily farm walks, homemade curd, and traditional Indian sweets like “laddus” rich in dry fruits.
Tributes poured in following news of his passing, including from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wrote on X:
“Fauja Singh was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on the very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”
