Fauja Singh, the man widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, has died at age 114 after being hit by a speeding vehicle in Punjab, India.
According to police, the accident occurred on Monday afternoon near Singh’s birth village, Beas Pind, close to Jalandhar city. Singh was out for a walk when he was struck by a white SUV reportedly driven by 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon. Local residents rushed Singh to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police have arrested Dhillon, who is accused of fleeing the scene after the collision. Investigators believe Singh's life might have been saved if the driver had stopped and immediately taken him to hospital. The vehicle involved in the hit-and-run has since been recovered by authorities.
Fauja Singh was more than just a runner—he was a global inspiration. He began running at the age of 89 and went on to complete nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013. In 2011, he reportedly became the first person over 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. He also had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch during the 2012 London Olympics.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Guinness World Records never officially recognized him as the oldest marathon runner due to the absence of a birth certificate from 1911. However, his British passport listed his birthdate as 1 April 1911, and he had received a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday.
Singh’s path to international fame was unlikely. As a child, he had weak legs and couldn’t walk properly until age five. He never attended school or played sports. He worked as a farmer, lived through two World Wars, and endured the 1947 Partition of India. His journey as a runner began in London during the 1990s after personal tragedy, including the deaths of his wife and younger son. A chance meeting at a gurdwara introduced him to a group of older runners, one of whom—Harmander Singh—became his coach.
His running club and charity, Sikhs In The City, announced that upcoming events in Ilford, east London, will now honour Singh’s life and legacy.
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