Fauja Singh, the legendary centenarian marathon runner often hailed as the world’s oldest distance runner, has died at the age of 114 following a road accident in India’s Punjab state, his biographer confirmed on Tuesday.
Known affectionately as the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh—an Indian-born British citizen—was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road in his home village of Bias in Jalandhar district on Monday.
Announcing the tragic news on X, his biographer Khushwant Singh wrote, “My Turbaned Tornado is no more. He was struck by a vehicle in his village while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”
Though Singh had no formal birth certificate, his family stated he was born on April 1, 1911. He gained international fame for taking up long-distance running at the age of 89, inspired by watching marathons on TV after the loss of his wife and son.
He ran full marathons until he turned 100 and completed his final race—a 10-kilometre run—at the age of 101 during the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon, clocking in at 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
While he was celebrated worldwide as the oldest marathoner, Guinness World Records did not officially recognize the title due to the lack of verified documentation, as birth certificates were uncommon during British colonial rule in the early 20th century.
Singh’s life and achievements made him a global icon. He carried the Olympic torch in Athens (2004) and London (2012), and featured in global ad campaigns alongside stars like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
His remarkable endurance was credited to a lifestyle rooted in simple living—daily farm walks and a diet rich in homemade curd and dry fruit-laden Indian sweets like laddu.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his passing, calling him “an exceptional athlete with incredible determination,” adding, “He inspired countless youth with his message of fitness and perseverance. My thoughts are with his family and admirers around the world.”
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