Punjab, India — Fauja Singh, the legendary British-Indian marathon runner widely believed to be the oldest in the world, has died at the age of 114 after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident in his native village of Beas Pind, near Jalandhar in Punjab.
Local police confirmed that Singh was crossing the road on Monday when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital by villagers but succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the driver, with senior district police officer Harvinder Singh assuring the public, “The accused will be caught soon.”
A Life That Defied Limits
Born in 1911, Singh did not walk properly until the age of five and was mocked for his weak legs as a child. Yet the man once teased in his village would go on to inspire the world by running marathons well into his 100s.
Singh began running competitively at the age of 89, following a period of deep grief after the tragic death of his younger son Kuldeep. Between 2000 and 2013, he ran nine full marathons, retiring from competitive events at the age of 102.
In 2011, he became the first person believed to complete a full marathon at the age of 100 during the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Although his record was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records due to the absence of a birth certificate — a common issue for births in rural India in the early 20th century — Singh’s British passport and a letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday lent credibility to the claim.
Tributes and Legacy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singh, calling him an “exceptional athlete with incredible determination.”
Harmander Singh, Fauja Singh’s longtime trainer and close friend, confirmed the news in a statement released by their running club and charity, Sikhs In The City. “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity, Fauja Singh, has passed away in India,” the statement read.
The club announced that all upcoming events — including the Fauja Singh Birthday Challenge scheduled for 29 March 2026 in Ilford, East London — will be dedicated to celebrating his remarkable life. They also pledged to double their fundraising efforts toward building the Fauja Singh Clubhouse along the Ilford route where he used to train.
Singh had lived in Ilford since 1992 and remained active well past his 110th birthday. When the BBC interviewed him in June, he was still walking several miles each day. “A person has to take care of his own body,” he said at the time.
From Farmer to Global Inspiration
Singh spent most of his life as a farmer and had never even heard of a marathon until late in life. He lived through the First and Second World Wars and the Partition of India before eventually moving to the UK after the death of his wife.
His introduction to running came almost by chance after meeting a group of elderly joggers and his future coach, Harmander Singh, during visits to the local gurdwara in Ilford.
“Had I not met Harmander Singh, I wouldn’t have got into marathon running,” Fauja Singh said in one of his final interviews.
Singh also carried the Olympic torch during the 2012 London Games, a moment that cemented his status as a global symbol of resilience, discipline, and human potential.
In Memoriam
Fauja Singh (1911–2025)
“The Turbaned Tornado” — A life of strength, grace, and undying spirit.