WORLD’S OLDEST MARATHON RUNNER, FAUJA SINGH, DIES AT 114 IN ROAD ACCIDENT

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Legendary Indian-born British marathoner Fauja Singh, widely believed to be the world’s oldest distance runner, has died at the age of 114 after being struck by a vehicle in Punjab’s Jalandhar district on Monday.

Singh, affectionately known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” was hit while crossing the road in his native village of Bias. The tragic news was confirmed by his biographer, Khushwant Singh, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “My Turbaned Tornado is no more. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle… in his village. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”

Born on April 1, 1911 according to his family, as no birth certificates existed under British colonial rule at the time Singh rose to global fame after taking up distance running at the age of 89, following the loss of his wife and one of his sons. Inspired by televised marathons, he went on to defy expectations and run numerous long-distance races well into his centenarian years.

He completed his last full marathon at age 100 and ran his final race, a 10-kilometre event at the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon, at 101 years old, clocking a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 28 seconds.

Although Guinness World Records did not certify him as the oldest marathoner due to the lack of documented proof of birth, Singh remains a towering figure in global athletics and elderly fitness advocacy.

He served as an Olympic torchbearer in both Athens 2004 and London 2012 and featured in global advertising campaigns alongside legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. His vibrant health was often attributed to daily farm walks and a traditional diet rich in dry fruits, home-churned curd, and Indian sweets like laddu.

Tributes have poured in from around the world, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing him as “extraordinary.”

“Fauja Singh was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness,” Modi wrote. “He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.”