Latest news with #runner
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Fauja Singh Once Said Punjab Felt Unsafe. Here's Where He Wished To Spend His Last Days
Last Updated: In 2015, Fauja Singh spoke candidly to PTI at his home in Beas. At the time, he expressed deep concerns about safety in his homeland Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner and a global symbol of strength and spirit, had always hoped to spend his final days in Britain — a wish that, sadly, went unfulfilled. In 2015, during a visit to Punjab for a sports event, Fauja Singh spoke candidly to PTI at his home in Beas. At the time, he expressed deep concerns about safety in his homeland. 'Here (Punjab), there are bad elements everywhere. Police cannot do anything. No one knows when they will stab, rob and hit someone and run away. This is not the case in London. That is why I want to spend my last time there," he had said. Tragically, his words proved prophetic. On Monday afternoon, while out for a walk near his village, Fauja Singh was hit by a vehicle on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway. He later died from his injuries. He was 114. Known as the 'Turbaned Tornado', Fauja Singh only began running marathons at the age of 89. Over the next two decades, he became a legend in the athletics world, known not just for his stamina but for his positivity and humble lifestyle. 'Wish I Could Win A Medal For My Country' During that same 2015 interview, dressed in a simple Pathani kurta-pyjama, he had reflected on his life with both pride and a hint of regret. 'I will always regret that none of my medals were won for India. People kept calling me a British runner. I didn't like that. But what could I do? I had become a British citizen," he had said, showing his medals quietly. 'I wish I could have won just one for my country." Showing his medals with a sigh, Fauja said, 'I wish I could win a medal for my country. I have won all these, but it is of no use to me because not a single medal is for India." His secret to good health? ' Pinni and dil ki khushi," he smiled. 'I eat pinni every day, drink warm water, have a glass of milk before bed, and eat curd in every season. Whether I'm in India or Britain. I eat these things and am always happy. This is the biggest secret of my health." (With inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 20:10 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Who is Amritpal Singh Dhillon? The NRI Arrested For Fauja Singh's Hit-And-Run Death?
Last Updated: The accused in the Fauja Singh hit-and-run case, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, is a 26-year-old Non-Resident Indian from Dasupur in Kartarpur. He had recently returned from Canada. The driver of the SUV that fatally hit Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathoner, was identified as a Non-Indian Resident, a native of Dasupur in Kartarpur. Named by the police as 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the accused was arrested on Tuesday, while his vehicle was also seized. Police said Amritpal Singh Dhillon was driving from Bhogpur to Kishahgarh on Monday when the accident happened on the highway in the veteran runner's native village of Bias in Punjab's Jalandhar district. The marathon runner was walking down the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway when the incident occurred, and he succumbed to injuries on Monday evening. According to villagers, Singh was tossed 5-7 feet in the air after being hit by the vehicle. WHO IS AMRITPAL SINGH DHILLON? News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that the family of the accused lived abroad. It was known that Amritpal Singh Dhillon had recently returned from Canada and was the one driving the SUV at the time of the accident. He had purchased the Fortuner from one Ravindra Singh of Rurhampur two years ago. According to India Today, Dhillon has claimed he was unaware at the time that the victim was Fauja Singh and that he only learnt about the legendary marathoner's death through media reports. FAUJA SINGH's HIT-AND-RUN CASE A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the driver under Sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Leaders cutting across party lines condoled the marathoner's death, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on fitness. The widely-admired 114-year-old's career as a marathon runner began when he was 89 and propelled him to the status of a global icon, gaining the nickname 'Turbaned Tornado" for his endurance and athleticism. Born in 1911 into a family of farmers, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international events. He went on to run marathons, including the famed ones in London, New York and Hong Kong, and inspire awe for clocking some brilliant timings for a 90-plus man born with weak legs. Among the most memorable of his runs was in 2011 when he turned 100. The invitational meet in Toronto was named in his honour, and he broke several world records for his age group. The frail man, who weathered many personal storms with his resilience and 'nonchalance", had spent a better part of his running career in Britain and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. Last year, Singh, in a symbolic gesture, joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon to spread awareness against drug abuse. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 09:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
World's oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, dies at 114 after being hit by a car
Fauja Singh, an Indian-born runner nicknamed the Turbaned Torpedo who was believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner, has died after being hit by a car. He was 114. Local media in India reported that Singh sustained severe head injuries in a hit-and-run accident on Monday while he was crossing the road at his native village near Jalandhar in Punjab. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. His London-based running club and charity, Sikhs In The City, confirmed his death. India's Prime minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singh, saying he 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.' Singh became the oldest man to run a full marathon in 2011 at the age of 100 in Toronto. His accomplishment was not recognized by Guinness World Records because he did not have a birth certificate to prove his age. Singh had a British passport that showed his date of birth as April 1, 1911, while a letter from Indian government officials stated that birth records were not kept in 1911. A torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, Singh took up running at the age of 89 as a way to get over depression after his wife and son died in quick succession in India. The death in 1994 of his son took a particularly hard toll on him because of its grisly nature. Singh and his son, Kuldip, both farmers, were checking on their fields in the middle of a storm when a piece of corrugated metal blown by the wind decapitated Kuldip in front of his father's eyes. Singh, whose five other children had emigrated, was left all alone. 'He didn't think his life was worth living without his son' following the traumatic incident, his coach Harmander Singh said. He went to live with his youngest son in London. That's where sports enthusiast Singh attended tournaments organized by the Sikh community and took part in sprints. He met some Sikh marathon runners who encouraged him to take up long-distance running. One day he saw a marathon on television for the first time and decided that's what he wanted to do. At the age of 89 in 2000 he ran the London Marathon, his first, and went on to do eight more. His best time was 5 hours and 40 minutes at the 2003 Toronto Marathon. 'From a tragedy has come a lot of success and happiness,' Singh said. Singh ran his last competitive race in 2013 at the age of 101, finishing the Hong Kong Marathon's 10-kilometer (6.25-mile) race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds. Following his retirement from racing, he said he hoped 'people will remember me and not forget me.' He also wanted people to continue to invite him to events 'rather than forget me altogether just because I don't run anymore.' 'He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination,' Modi said. 'Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.' ___
Fast Company
6 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
Parallels between marathon training and building a career
It's 9 a.m. on a Saturday, and I'm several miles into a long training run—legs heavy, pace slower than I'd hoped, and the finish line still miles away. Training for the NYC Marathon reshaped the way I approach leadership, personal growth, and long-term professional performance. It taught lessons that cannot be fully absorbed in any classroom or conference panel—real-life lessons in a highly practical case about resilience, structure, pacing, and long-term sustainability. While most people will never run a marathon, the principles behind this kind of endurance are broadly applicable to how we build careers with depth, purpose, and endurance. Here are five of the most valuable takeaways where parallels can be found: Training isn't linear. Some runs feel effortless; others feel like setbacks. Progress is often invisible in the moment, but over time, it compounds. What matters isn't a single session, but the sum of consistent effort over 15 weeks—or 15 years. Careers follow a similar rhythm. Promotions, recognition, or creative breakthroughs don't always arrive in sync with effort. You can put in months of work before anything outwardly changes, possibly even years. You may even encounter setbacks like an injury or a layoff. The delay between effort and reward can be discouraging—even when you know it's part of the process. Marathon Parallel: Improvement happens in the background—even when a run feels unremarkable and meaningless. Career Parallel: The work you're doing today may not pay off immediately, but it compounds over time. Takeaway: Like it or not, trusting the process is part of mastering it. Stick to your plan. 2. MENTAL ENDURANCE OUTWEIGHS NATURAL TALENT By the midpoint of any long-distance run, the physical challenge becomes mental, especially when you have properly prepped. Training your mind to override discomfort, stay focused, and push through doubt is often what separates finishers from those who burn out early. The same holds true in your career. Technical skills might get you hired, but it's emotional resilience, mindset, and adaptability that help you advance. Long-term success depends far more on your ability to 'stay the course' than on raw talent alone. Marathon Parallel: Grit and discipline carry you through the second half of the race. Career Parallel: Staying calm, focused, collected, and flexible is often more valuable than raw skill. Takeaway: Build mental stamina through repeatable daily habits. Discipline will always beat motivation. From Aristotle to Eliud Kipchoge, high performers across decades have echoed the same principle: discipline outweighs motivation. Discipline equals freedom. Don't be beholden to your 'moods' and motivation. 3. RECOVERY IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Rest days are non-negotiable for runners. Without adequate recovery, performance declines and injury risk increases. Recovery isn't a break from training—it's part of the training strategy. Professionally, the same logic applies. Constant hustle leads to burnout. High performers learn how to integrate recovery into their routines, whether through boundaries, intentional downtime, or structured breaks that allow for mental recalibration. It's not indulgent—it's essential. It may sound familiar, but once applied, this approach transforms how you feel, and moreover, how you perform. However, once you formally apply this approach, you will not only see but rather feel the difference. From there, it is hard to go back to any other method. Marathon Parallel: Planned rest in your plan prevents injury and enables performance to be at peak. Career Parallel: Building in recovery allows you to sustain output, clarity, and energy. Takeaway: Sustainable performance beats constant hustle every time. Hustle culture is over-glamorized. Surely, you have never seen an executive of a Fortune 500 company appearing stressed, rushed, or disorganized. Distance running might seem like a solo endeavor, but community plays a crucial role. Training partners, cheering sections, and accountability networks help carry you through the most difficult parts of the course. In your career, support systems matter just as much. Mentors, colleagues, and advocates help you grow faster, avoid blind spots, and remain motivated. No matter how independent you are, nobody advances alone. If anything, this parallel feels like strongest of them all. Marathon Parallel: The crowd may not run with you, but they help you keep going. (There's nothing like the sound of the notorious roar of 1st Ave each November in New York City.) Career Parallel: The right people create the conditions for long-term professional success and become your biggest allies. Takeaway: Invest as intentionally in your support network as you do in your skill set, index funds, and other assets. Be sure to nurture those relationships and not just build them. 5. SUCCESS REQUIRES A PERSONAL DEFINITION Not every marathoner is racing for a podium finish. For some, it's about a personal best. For others, it's about crossing the finish line—period. The key is clarity around what success looks like and aligning your effort accordingly. For most of the marathon population, 'winning' is not the goal. Careers are no different. If your definition of success is borrowed from someone else, you'll constantly feel off pace. The most fulfilled professionals I know have defined their own metrics, whether that's leadership influence, creative autonomy, impact, or balance. Marathon Parallel: Every runner has their own goal, even on the same course hitting the same finish. Career Parallel: Your professional path should reflect your values, not someone else's expectations. Takeaway: Are you chasing your own definition of success? Especially as many grow families, pivot careers, care for elderly loved ones, and more, what looks like success to you may look vastly different from another. ENDURANCE IS A PROFESSIONAL SKILL Finishing the marathon didn't just mark the end of a training cycle—it marked the beginning of a deeper understanding of limits and how to approach challenges. In a work culture that prioritizes acceleration, and again, the hustle mentality, these lessons matter more than ever. So, whether or not you ever run 26.2 miles, consider this final thought: Identify the long-term challenge you're training for, and be sure to build the endurance to meet it with confidence.
India Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Avinash Sable out for 2 weeks after nasty fall in Monaco Diamond League
Star Indian steeplechaser Avinash Sable is out for 1–2 weeks after a nasty fall during the Monaco Diamond League. On July 11, Sable copped a big blow while participating in the competition, which forced him to retire from the Sable's coach, Amrish Kumar, told PTI in an interview that Sable's injury was a minor one and that he would be back on the track in no time. Asian Games champion and national record holder Sable failed to finish the men's 3000m steeplechase event on Friday as he fell during the water jump early in the race. He was seen clutching his lower thigh area just at the back of the knee as he left the has suffered a minor injury around the knee. He will take rest and he should be all right in one or two weeks at the maximum. It is not much to worry about," Kumar, who is with the Army Sports Institute in Pune, told PTI. "He (Sable) was trying to protect the runner ahead of him who had just jumped over the water barrier. While doing that, he himself fell - these kinds of things happen in a race," he athlete ahead of him lost balance and went down, causing Sable to stumble as Sable Eyeing RedemptionAvinash Sable is targeting the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Sable recently shook off a nagging calf injury and hoped to be back to his best in the ongoing season. The reigning Asian Games gold medalist has been steadily rebuilding his fitness, splitting his time between high-altitude training in Ooty and intense workouts at the Sports Authority of India's Southern Centre in Bengaluru. With preparations going smoothly, Sable is quietly with the stumble in the Monaco Diamond League, his preparations have taken a slight hit. With just one point from three DL meetings this season, it will be difficult for the 30-year-old Sable to make it to the DL Finals on August 27–28 in Zurich, whose national record stands at 8:09.91 seconds, finished 13th in the Xiamen DL on April 16, was eighth in Keqiao—also in China—before a DNF in Monaco on last DL meeting which has men's 3000m steeplechase on the roster is in Brussels on August Friday, the sports ministry approved Sable's training in Colorado Springs, USA, from July 15 to September 3 to prepare for the World Championships (September 13–21) in Tokyo, for which he has already qualified.- EndsMust Watch
