Who was Fauja Singh? Legendary marathon runner dies at 114
Author Khushwant Singh, who wrote Fauja's biography, 'The Turbaned Tornado', confirmed the legend's demise.
"My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja," Khushwant posted on X.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, also expressed 'deep sadness' over Fauja Singh's passing. In a post on X, he wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and symbol of resilience. At 114, he joined me in the 'Nasha Mukt, Rangla Punjab' march with unmatched spirit. His legacy will continue to inspire a drug-free Punjab. Om Shanti Om."
How was Fauja Singh?
Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, debuted as a marathon runner at the ripe age of 89 years in 2000. Nicknamed the 'Turbaned Tornado', Singh ran nine full marathons.
His best time was recorded in Toronto, where he clocked five hours, 40 minutes and four seconds.
Fauja Singh did not have an easy childhood. His family thought he was crippled since he was not able to walk until the age of five.
Marathon runner Fauja Singh's running shoes with his name inscribed on them. (File Photo/HT)
While as a young man, he took up farming to support his family, Singh moved to England in 1992. He settled down in East London with his son after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur, in Jalandhar. His fifth son, Kuldip, died in August 1994, according to
The legend took up running as a distraction from the trauma of losing his son, daughter, and wife in quick succession.
He holds the world record for the marathon in his age group and has five British records. On January 1, 2015, Singh received the British Empire Medal for his athletic achievements.
Fauja Singh was also a torchbearer for the London Olympics in 2012.
Fauja Singh completed his last competitive 26-mile race in Hong Kong in February 2013, following which he hung up his running boots.
Additionally, Fauja Singh was the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign. He also appeared alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali for a leading sports brand commercial.
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India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh dies at 114 in road accident
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 15 (ANI): Legendary marathoner Fauja Singh, fondly remembered as the 'Turbaned Tornado,' passed away on Monday at the age of 114 in a tragic road accident in his ancestral village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. Heartfelt tributes have flooded in, honouring a man who defied age, broke records, and inspired generations with every stride he took. Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, expressed his grief on the demise of the legendary marathoner. '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. I had the honour of walking alongside him during the two-day 'Nasha Mukt - Rangla Punjab' march from his village Beas, district Jalandhar in December 2024. Even then, his presence infused the movement with unparalleled energy and spirit,' the Governor said. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab, he added. Former Punjab CM and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh also expressed condolences on the demise of Fauja Singh. He took to X to express his condolences, saying that Singh's extraordinary life and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations. 'Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner, at the age of 114 in a tragic road accident. His extraordinary life and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations,' the former Punjab CM said. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) member, Daljit S Cheema, also expressed his condolences. 'Saddened to learn about the passing away of legendary athlete Sardar Fauja Singh at the age of 114 in an accident today. A global icon of endurance and inspiration, he proved that age is no barrier. His life and legacy will continue to motivate generations,' he said. Fauja Singh, popularly known as the 'Sikh Superman', stunned the world by shattering several records as a marathon runner in multiple age brackets. Since making his debut at the London Marathon in 2000 at the age of 89, Singh has completed it six more times and has also finished marathons in Toronto, New York, and several more cities. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Who was Fauja Singh? Legendary marathon runner dies at 114
The legendary marathon runner from Punjab and the UK, Fauja Singh, is no more. He died at a private hospital in Jalandhar on Monday evening after reportedly being hit by an unidentified vehicle in his village, Beas, in the afternoon. Fauja Singh took up running at the age of 89 as a way of coping after the death of his wife and son.(File Photo/HT) Author Khushwant Singh, who wrote Fauja's biography, 'The Turbaned Tornado', confirmed the legend's demise. "My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja," Khushwant posted on X. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, also expressed 'deep sadness' over Fauja Singh's passing. In a post on X, he wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and symbol of resilience. At 114, he joined me in the 'Nasha Mukt, Rangla Punjab' march with unmatched spirit. His legacy will continue to inspire a drug-free Punjab. Om Shanti Om." How was Fauja Singh? Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, debuted as a marathon runner at the ripe age of 89 years in 2000. Nicknamed the 'Turbaned Tornado', Singh ran nine full marathons. His best time was recorded in Toronto, where he clocked five hours, 40 minutes and four seconds. Fauja Singh did not have an easy childhood. His family thought he was crippled since he was not able to walk until the age of five. Marathon runner Fauja Singh's running shoes with his name inscribed on them. (File Photo/HT) While as a young man, he took up farming to support his family, Singh moved to England in 1992. He settled down in East London with his son after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur, in Jalandhar. His fifth son, Kuldip, died in August 1994, according to The legend took up running as a distraction from the trauma of losing his son, daughter, and wife in quick succession. He holds the world record for the marathon in his age group and has five British records. On January 1, 2015, Singh received the British Empire Medal for his athletic achievements. Fauja Singh was also a torchbearer for the London Olympics in 2012. Fauja Singh completed his last competitive 26-mile race in Hong Kong in February 2013, following which he hung up his running boots. Additionally, Fauja Singh was the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign. He also appeared alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali for a leading sports brand commercial.
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh dies in road accident in Punjab
CHANDIGARH:The 114-year-old Fauja Singh, nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado, the oldest marathon runner, died in a road accident in his village near Jalandhar in Punjab. Sources said that Singh was hit by an unidentified vehicle on the evening of July 14 as he was crossing the road at his native Beas village near Jalandhar. "My father was going for a walk when an unidentified vehicle hit him. He suffered head injuries. We immediately rushed him to a private hospital; however, he succumbed to his injuries," said his son Harvinder Singh. Singh was born on April 1, 1911, at Beas village in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was the youngest of four children in his family. In 1992, he moved to England and settled in East London with his son after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur. Singh started his marathon career in 2000 at the age of 89 as he decided to take up running and took part in the London Marathon that year, and shot to fame as he completed the marathon. It was his maiden full marathon, which he completed in six hours and fifty-four minutes. He broke the previous world record of 58 minutes in the 90-plus age bracket. He also ran New York, Toronto and Mumbai marathons. In 2003, he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in five hours and forty minutes in the 90-plus category, which was his personal best timing. On October 16, 2011, Singh became the first centenarian to finish a marathon, making him the oldest marathoner as he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in eight hours, eleven minutes and six seconds. It was a world record, but the Guinness World Records refused to recognise it as Singh could not produce his birth certificate.
