Beas Pind, Punjab, July 15, 2025 – The world mourns the loss of Fauja Singh, the “Turbaned Tornado,” believed to be the oldest marathon runner in history, who passed away at the claimed age of 114 in a tragic hit-and-run accident on July 14, 2025. Struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing a road in his native village of Beas Pind, near Jalandhar, Punjab, Singh succumbed to severe head and rib injuries at Srimann Hospital. His extraordinary journey—from a frail child unable to walk until age five to a global icon running marathons past 100—captivated hearts worldwide, proving that resilience and determination can defy age. NRIGlobe reflects on Singh’s remarkable life, the heartbreaking circumstances of his passing, and the enduring legacy of a man who ran while “talking to God.”

A Life Forged in Adversity

Born on April 1, 1911, in the humble village of Beas Pind during British colonial rule, Fauja Singh’s early years were marked by hardship. The youngest of four in a farming family, he was nicknamed danda (Punjabi for “stick”) due to his frail, thin legs, which delayed his ability to walk until age five. As a farmer, Singh ran recreationally in his youth but set it aside during the turmoil of India’s 1947 Partition, which uprooted millions, including his family. Personal tragedy struck again in the 1990s with the loss of his wife, Gian Kaur, in 1992, and the devastating death of his fifth son, Kuldip, in 1994. Kuldip was killed in a storm when wind-blown corrugated metal struck him, an event Singh witnessed, plunging him into despair. “He didn’t think his life was worth living,” recalled his coach, Harmander Singh.

Seeking solace, Singh relocated to Ilford, East London, in 1992 to live with his youngest son, Sukhjinder. At the age of 89, a chance encounter at a local gurdwara with Sikh runners sparked a new chapter. Inspired by a televised marathon, Singh declared, “That’s what I want to do.” With no formal training and initially arriving in a three-piece suit, he embarked on a marathon journey that would make him a global sensation.

The Rise of the Turbaned Tornado

Fauja Singh’s marathon career began in 2000 with the London Marathon, where, at age 89, he completed the race in 6 hours and 54 minutes, shattering the 90-plus age group record by 58 minutes. His personal best came in 2003 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, finishing in an astonishing 5 hours and 40 minutes at a claimed age of 92. In 2011, at age 100, he etched his name in history as the first centenarian to complete a full marathon, crossing the Toronto Waterfront finish line in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds. That same week, he set eight world age-group records in a single day at the Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet, dominating events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters, some surpassing even the 95-plus records.

Though Guinness World Records could not verify his age due to the lack of a 1911 birth certificate—a common issue in rural India at the time—Singh’s British passport confirmed his birth as April 1, 1911. His feats earned him global acclaim: he featured in a 2004 Adidas campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali, visited Buckingham Palace in 2006 to meet Queen Elizabeth II, and carried the Olympic torch for the 2012 London Games. Nicknamed the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh ran nine marathons between 2000 and 2013, retiring after a 10-kilometer race in Hong Kong at age 101 in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.

Singh attributed his longevity to a disciplined vegetarian diet, minimal eating, and a joyful outlook. “Eating less, running more, and staying happy—that is the secret behind my longevity,” he shared with the BBC in June 2025, still walking miles daily in Beas Pind. His mantra, “I run while talking to God,” embodied his spiritual approach, channeling grief into a mission that raised funds for charities like Sikhs in the City and celebrated Sikh culture worldwide.

A Tragic End in Beas Pind

On July 14, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, Singh was crossing a road in Beas Pind when an unidentified vehicle struck him and fled the scene. Locals rushed him to Srimann Hospital, but severe head and rib injuries proved fatal. “My father was going for a walk when an unidentified vehicle hit him,” said his son Harvinder Singh. Jalandhar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh Virk vowed, “The accused will be caught soon,” as authorities launched a search for the driver.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the global running community. Sikhs in the City, Singh’s London-based running club and charity, announced that all events until the Fauja Singh Birthday Challenge on March 29, 2026, will honor his legacy, with funds dedicated to a Fauja Singh Clubhouse in Ilford. “He was an icon of humanity and a powerhouse of positivity,” said coach Harmander Singh. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him as an “exceptional athlete with incredible determination,” while Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who joined Singh in a December 2024 anti-drug march, praised his “unmatched spirit.”

A Legacy That Endures

Fauja Singh’s story transcended athletics, inspiring millions to overcome age and adversity. His 2020 children’s book, Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh, became the first Sikh-centered story published by a major press, challenging stereotypes about ageism and disability. MP Preet Kaur Gill, who met Singh, wrote on X, “His discipline, simple living, and deep humility left a lasting mark on me. Rest in power, legend.” His biographer, Khushwant Singh, mourned, “My Turbaned Tornado is no more,” in a heartfelt tribute.

Despite debates over his unverified age, Singh’s impact is irrefutable. Dr. Thomas Perls of the New England Centenarian Study noted in 2016 that a centenarian running a marathon was “conceivable,” and Ontario Masters Athletics’ Doug Smith called Singh’s 2011 Toronto feats “the most astonishing achievement” he’d ever seen. From a grieving farmer to a global icon, Singh’s life is a testament to transforming tragedy into triumph.

A Call for Change

The hit-and-run that claimed Singh’s life has ignited calls for improved road safety in India. X users like @LeeJ09 urged, “Please drive better! There was no reason for this to happen.” As Punjab police search for the culprit, Singh’s legacy inspires us to embody his message: keep moving, stay positive, and face life’s challenges with courage.

Celebrating a Legend

Fauja Singh’s journey from a Punjab village to global marathon stages is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience. NRIGlobe invites you to stay connected for updates on this story, tributes to Singh’s legacy, and stories of inspiration. Join us in honoring a man who ran until the very end, forever the Turbaned Tornado.

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