Fauja Singh, famously known as the "Turbaned Tornado," passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 114 after a tragic road accident in his native Beas village near Jalandhar, Punjab. The legendary marathon runner, who inspired millions across the globe with his extraordinary feats of endurance and resilience, was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road around 3:30 pm and succumbed to head injuries at a private hospital in Jalandhar later that evening.
Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas village, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four children in a farming family. Despite a challenging start to life—he was unable to walk until the age of five due to weak legs—Singh's spirit never waned. After the death of his wife, Gian Kaur, and later his son Kuldip Singh in 1994, Fauja found solace in running, which he took up seriously at the remarkable age of 89.
Immigrating to England in 1992 to live with his son in East London, Fauja Singh began training in local parks and quickly rose to prominence. His first marathon was the London Marathon in April 2000, which he completed in 6 hours and 54 minutes, shattering the previous world record for the 90-plus age category by 58 minutes. This debut marked the beginning of a remarkable 14-year career during which he ran nine full marathons, including multiple appearances at the London Marathon, Toronto Marathon, New York Marathon, and Mumbai Marathon.
One of his most historic milestones came on October 16, 2011, when he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, finishing in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds. Guinness World Records hailed this as an "inspirational achievement," although it could not officially recognize the record due to the absence of a birth certificate—a common issue for births in India in 1911. Nonetheless, his passport confirmed his birth date as April 1, 1911.
Fauja Singh’s personal best marathon time was recorded in 2003 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he completed the race in an impressive five hours and 40 minutes in the 90-plus category. He retired from competitive running at the age of 101 after completing a 10-kilometer race in Hong Kong in 2013, clocking 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds.
His contributions extended beyond the track. Fauja Singh became a global icon of endurance and positivity, appearing in a popular Adidas campaign alongside Muhammad Ali and David Beckham under the slogan "Impossible is Nothing." He was also the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign, advocating for compassion and healthy living. In recognition of his services to sport and charity, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2015 and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition in 2013. He also had the honor of being a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics.
His coach, Harmandar Singh, who first met Fauja when the runner was unaware of the full marathon distance, recalled, "When I met Fauja Singh, he did not know about a marathon being 42.195-km-long. He used to run in 20-km events. He had come in a suit to meet me to train and I gave him my track suit. Within six months, he ran his first London Marathon in April 2000. He went on to run nine marathons within 11 years of his career, making him one of the greatest marathon runners in the world. His loss is a loss to the whole running community as well the world." Harmandar is now spearheading a campaign to honor Fauja's legacy by raising funds to build a clubhouse in Ilford, where Fauja used to train. The initiative aims to collect 114 pounds each from about 9,000 people worldwide to create a lasting tribute.
Author Khushwant Singh, who penned Fauja’s biography "Turbaned Tornado," shared heartfelt memories: "Baba always gave something to this world. He always used to support charities across the world. When we released the biography in 2011 at House of Lords in London, Fauja Baba was excited that his story would reach the world. With his feats, he wrote his name in history. Once we were in Australia, people honoured him with dollars. He collected that money and put it in the Gurdwara ‘golak’ (offering box)."
Fauja Singh’s son, Harvinder Singh, recalled his father’s love for running, saying, "He said the open air and soil kept his body alive." He was with his father at the hospital following the accident, attending to necessary formalities.
The news of Fauja Singh’s passing prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the world. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria expressed his sorrow, recalling their joint participation in the 'Nasha Mukt, Rangla Punjab' march in December 2024. He said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and an enduring symbol of resilience and hope. Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. His legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab." Similarly, Hockey Olympian and MLA Pargat Singh noted, "Sardar Fauja Singh Ji was an icon of endurance and inspiration. At 114, he was not just the world’s oldest marathon runner, but a symbol of discipline, resilience, and hope for a healthier, drug-free Punjab. His legacy will continue to inspire generations." SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal also paid tribute, stating, "Punjab and the world have lost a legend in the tragic passing of iconic athlete S. Fauja Singh. His life taught us an important lesson - that nothing is impossible. We only need to strive to achieve our goals." MPs Preet Kaur Gill and Jas Athwal echoed these sentiments, highlighting Fauja’s discipline, humility, and global impact.
Fauja Singh’s remarkable journey from a frail child unable to walk to the world’s oldest marathon runner is a testament to the power of perseverance, positivity, and purpose. His legacy transcends sport, inspiring not only athletes but anyone facing adversity. As the running community and admirers worldwide mourn his loss, efforts to preserve his memory and promote his message of fitness and hope continue through the Fauja Singh Clubhouse campaign and other initiatives.
Though the Turbaned Tornado has run his last race, his spirit will forever pace alongside those who dare to dream, reminding us all that age is no barrier to greatness.
