Fauja Singh, the ‘Turbaned Tornado', taught us age is no limit
The life and legacy of the world's oldest marathoner, Fauja Singh, who died at 114 in a road accident a few days ago, will continue to motivate geriatricians across the globe.
Fauja Singh was not only an inspiration for millions of people but also a strong motivation for geriatricians around the world. In a world obsessed with youth and speed, Fauja Singh stood as a defiant streak of silver — not just breaking records, but breaking stereotypes with every stride. As geriatricians, we are trained to understand the vulnerabilities of aging; yet, occasionally, someone like Fauja Singh comes along and teaches us about its untapped potential. He was the living example of the science of ageing, which proves that improvement is possible at any age and that lifestyle modification is the best path toward longevity — or in other words, lifestyle decides longevity. He didn't just run marathons. He ran into history — not despite his age, but because of it.
Born in 1911 in British India, Fauja Singh didn't lace up his first pair of running shoes until he was in his 80s. In my clinical practice, I often hear patients complain, 'We were athletes in our youth' or 'We used to ride bicycles' — but now we couldn't even think of doing that again. This is a common finding: most people, as they age, tend to slow down, settle in, and shrink their worlds. Fauja, instead, expanded his. He ran his first marathon at 89. At 100, he became the world's oldest marathoner, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon — not just a runner in the race but a symbol of what ageing can look like: vibrant, determined, and full of grace. As physicians who serve the elderly, we often encounter the quiet fears of our patients — of decline, dependence, and disappearing relevance. Fauja Singh turned those fears into fuel and proved his mettle.
The life of Fauja (which was chronicled in the biography Turbaned Tornado by Khushwant Singh) testifies that age is not a barrier — rather, it is an opportunity. He once said, 'The first 100 years are a test. The real fun begins after that.' His life echoes the belief that chronological age is only a number — not a sentence. Nowadays, there is an emerging discussion about biological age, which is more important to understand than chronological age. Chronological age is fixed and unidirectional, whereas a person can age toward younger years biologically with lifestyle modifications. So don't fall into the trap of chronological age. It might be possible that your age is 75 years, but with a good lifestyle, your biological age can be 50 or 60. It is possible to bloom in late life, to grow stronger in purpose even as the body wears down.
For the elderly, purpose often serves as the best medicine, which in turn fuels physical, social, and cognitive health. Fauja's consistency and commitment to running gave him that purpose, which is very important for healthy ageing. This shaped his daily routine. Even in his later years, it included waking early, a light diet, prayer, and disciplined training.
His story is a lesson in resilience, underlining the importance of maintaining mental health along with physical well-being. Poor physical health, chronic diseases, social isolation, or the loss of loved ones can often push elders into depression. But it is also true that life experience and emotional stability make elders more competent to overcome these challenges strongly and efficiently. In Fauja's case, he overcame profound grief — losing his son and wife — through running.
Often, society views the elderly through a lens of pity or irrelevance. Fauja Singh flipped the narrative. He inspired generations to rethink what elders are for. In this generation, where young supermodels with six-pack abs are idolised, Fauja Singh proved that elders can also inspire through their physical fitness — and that being athletic is not the exclusive joy of youth. One can maintain athleticism for life.
Fauja's philosophy of aging wasn't rooted in denial of age but in acceptance and transcendence of its limits. He never competed for money, fame, or medals. He ran for joy, remembrance, and peace, emphasizing the need to enjoy and nurture the gift of nature inbuilt in our own bodies.
As geriatricians, we strive to add life to years, not just years to life. In Fauja Singh, we see the living embodiment of that mission. His legs may have carried him across marathons, but it is his spirit that carried him into our hearts — and into the annals of possibility.
Let this tribute not end as a eulogy but begin as a call to action: to advocate for elder health with renewed faith, to challenge ageism, and to remind our patients — and ourselves — that it's never too late to be extraordinary.
'Baba bohat vadhia daudeya — hun saari duniya tuhade piche bhaj rahi hai.'
(Baba, you ran so well — now the whole world runs behind you.)
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