Who Was Fauja Singh? 114-Year-Old, Who Ran Marathons World Over, Died In Road Accident
Fauja Singh received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour from the National Ethnic Coalition on November 13, 2003, recognising him as a powerful symbol of racial tolerance.
Veteran marathoner Fauja Singh passed away at the age of 114 after being struck by an unidentified vehicle in his native village in Punjab's Jalandhar district.
The tragic incident occurred in Bias village, where Singh was out for his routine walk when he was hit, suffering severe head injuries. He succumbed to his injuries later that evening, according to a local police official who confirmed the details.
His death was also confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, former Punjab State Information Commissioner, who spoke to members of Fauja Singh's family. Khushwant Singh had chronicled the athlete's extraordinary life in his biography, The Turbaned
The 'Sikh Superman' Who Redefined Age And Endurance
Fauja Singh, often hailed as the 'Sikh Superman," was born on April 1, 1911, according to his biography. He faced early physical challenges and was unable to walk until the age of five. Initially a casual runner, Singh's life, like many others, was deeply disrupted by the Partition of India, which left lasting personal and emotional scars.
Years later, after suffering a series of devastating personal losses, including the deaths of several family members, Singh returned to running as a way to cope with grief and depression. His passion for the sport reignited, he moved to England in the 1990s to live with his son and, remarkably, at the age of 89, he ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—in 2000.
What began as a personal comeback soon evolved into a record-setting journey. Singh entered several international marathons, including in Toronto and New York, becoming a global sensation in his age group. Over the years, he completed six full marathons, inspiring people around the world with his determination and spirit.
In 2012, he was a special guest at the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run in Malaysia. The event was themed '101 and Running" in honour of his exceptional longevity and achievements. During the closing ceremony, Singh received the prestigious BrandLaureate Award on stage.
On February 24, 2013, just weeks shy of his 102nd birthday, Singh ran his final competitive race—a 10-kilometre event at the Hong Kong Marathon, which he completed in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. While he officially retired from competitive running after that, he expressed his commitment to continue running for personal well-being and to support charitable causes.
Fauja Singh's journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the boundless potential of the human spirit, regardless of age.
World Records Broken By Fauja Singh
100m – 23.40 seconds (previous 29.83)
200m – 52.23 seconds (previous 77.59 seconds)
400m – 2:13.48 (previous 3:41.00)
800m – 5:32.18 (no previous record)
1,500m – 11:27.00 (previous 16:46.00)
Mile – 11:53.45 (no previous record)
3,000m – 24:52.47 (no previous record)
5,000m – 49:57.39 (no previous record)
Awards Won By Singh
Fauja Singh received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour from the National Ethnic Coalition on November 13, 2003, recognising him as a powerful symbol of racial tolerance. Remarkably, he was the first non-American ever to be bestowed with the award. In 2011, he was further celebrated with the Pride of India title for his extraordinary achievements and inspiration to millions.
A lifelong vegetarian and advocate for healthy living, Singh also holds the distinction of being the oldest man to feature in a PETA campaign. His global appeal even saw him appear in a high-profile advertisement for a major sportswear brand, sharing the screen with legends David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
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