JALANDHAR, India (Diya TV) — Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner and a symbol of strength and resilience, died Monday after being hit by a car in his native village in Punjab. He was 114.
Born on April 1, 1911, in Beyas village, Jalandhar district, Singh earned global recognition for taking up marathon running at an age when most people slow down. His extraordinary journey began at 89, following personal tragedies that led him to seek a new purpose in life.
According to BBC Punjabi, Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle while walking along the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway around 3:30 p.m. local time. He suffered a severe head injury and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors declared him dead at 7:30 p.m. IST.
Police said they have registered a case and are investigating. “The car has not been traced yet,” said SHO Hardeep Singh of Adampur Police Station. “We are examining CCTV footage and will arrest the accused soon.”
Singh’s body is currently being held at a mortuary while his children, who live abroad, make travel arrangements. The funeral will be held after their arrival.
Fauja Singh turned to long-distance running after losing his wife and son. In 2000, he ran his first marathon in London at the age of 89. Over the years, he competed in nine full marathons in cities like London, Toronto, and New York.
His best marathon time came in Toronto, where he clocked 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 seconds. Known for his grit and stamina, Singh trained regularly and followed a simple vegetarian diet, often attributing his long life to clean living and positive thinking.
He became a torchbearer in both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. Singh also featured in a major international sportswear ad campaign, appearing alongside icons such as David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
Tributes flooded social media following news of his death. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria expressed deep sorrow, calling Singh a “symbol of resilience and hope.”
“I had the honour of walking alongside him during the two-day ‘Nasha Mukt – Rangla Punjab’ march from Beas in December 2024,” Kataria said in a Facebook post. “Even then, his presence infused the movement with unparalleled energy and spirit. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier and drug-free Punjab.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences, praising Singh for inspiring millions through his determination and discipline.
Author Khushwant Singh, who wrote a biography titled Turbaned Tornado, confirmed Singh’s death. “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa remembered him as “a legend not just in running, but in life.”
Fauja Singh remained active and engaged in public life even in his final years. His participation in anti-drug marches and community events showed that he never lost his fighting spirit.
His incredible story has inspired documentaries, books, and thousands of runners across the world. For many, he proved that age is just a number and that the human spirit can endure far beyond expectations.
Singh often said, “I do not run for records. I run to inspire people.” And inspire he did — from village fields in Punjab to city streets across continents.
