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Global News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Fauja Singh was the world's oldest marathon runner. He was also ‘an absolute inspiration'
Paramjit Dhillon will never forget the moment he first met Fauja Singh. It was in 2003 when Dhillon was introduced to Singh through Alan Brookes, the race director of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Brookes had invited Singh – a celebrity in the United Kingdom for having just run a marathon at the age of 92 – to the then-unestablished event, unsure if he'd be willing to make the trip. Singh was up for it, but with no knowledge of English, he needed a guide. 'We initially said no, he's a celebrity in the U.K., you should put him with a bigger charity,' Dhillon, a member of the volunteer-run Guru Gobind Singh Children's Foundation (GGSCF) in the Scarborough area of Toronto, told Global News. 'But Alan said he wants to be with people he can talk to, have a laugh with and feel like he's not away from home.' Story continues below advertisement So the two connected, and what would unfold in the days, weeks, months and years afterwards would lead to Singh becoming the oldest man to run a full marathon during the 2011 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. 'He inspired so many of us' Nicknamed the 'Turban Torpedo,' the 114-year-old Singh died Monday after being hit by a car while crossing the road at his native village near Jalandhar in Punjab. Local media in India reported that Singh sustained severe head injuries in the hit-and-run collision. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died. Though his 2011 run was not recognized by Guinness World Records because he did not have a birth certificate, his accomplishment cemented his status as a running icon – and helped build a connection with Toronto that goes far beyond that moment of glory. Story continues below advertisement 0:39 World's oldest marathoner dies after being struck by vehicle At the GGSCF, Singh would regularly speak to youth, which at one point included Parminder Flora – a self-described casual jogger-turned-avid runner thanks to Singh's motivation. 'He inspired so many of us to take up and continue running,' Flora said. 'He showed us that there's really no limits and that we can do a lot if we believe in ourselves. It can be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.' Each time Singh came to Toronto, his bond deepened with the GGSCF. When he reached 100 and decided to go for the record, Toronto – not his adopted hometown of London – was where he chose to make history. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy His coach, Harmander Singh, and the foundation were ready to help make it happen. Story continues below advertisement 'It was a magical moment' 'His age is none of my business. I wanted him to fulfil his dream,' Harmander said. On one occasion, this meant banning Singh from taking vacations after his race times started slipping. On this stricter training plan, his times improved. On race day – Oct. 16, 2011 – Dhillon ran a portion of the marathon alongside Singh before taking over as his hydration expert. He said he made sure hot tea – never water – was ready for him at refreshment stations. 0:58 Man who became world's oldest marathon runner at Toronto race dies in hit-and-run Singh ran the 2003 London marathon in under six hours, but age had slowed his pace. He was also dealing with public pressure, with thousands of people watching to see if he could break the record. Story continues below advertisement 'He was struggling,' Harmander said. 'People were pushing him faster than he needed to go.' Supporters were running alongside him, but at that point, he had to lock in. 'He snapped back and said, 'You've had your fun, now I'm going to listen to my coach,'' Harmander said, adding that he remembers fondly a phrase Singh told him. 'The first 30 kilometres, it's like a fun fair, you enjoy the ride. After that, you're talking to God.' Event organizers made sure there was a celebration that matched the moment when Singh made it to the finish line. 'Our course limit with the city was six-and-a-half hours, but the police and the ambulance at the end of the race wouldn't leave,' Brookes said. 'It was just a tremendous, joyous celebration.' View full screen View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery After logging 42.195 kilometres in just over eight hours, Singh became the oldest person ever to complete an official marathon. Story continues below advertisement Waiting for Singh at the finish line were 8,000 chapatis and samosas made by members of the GGSCF for him and his supporters to enjoy. 'It got dark because it took him so long,' Dhillon said. 'When he turned the corner, everything went totally out of control. It was a magical moment; it was history.' Singh's legacy in Toronto lives on Damanpreet Jaiswal was a toddler when Singh crossed the line in 2011, but she's heard all the stories. She's one of Singh's devotees from the GGSCF, following in his footsteps with a love for running that he would be proud of. 'I'm on my school's varsity track team and I also run cross-country,' she said. 'I really understand how running meant so much to him because it means so much to me, it gave me health and happiness.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Fauja Singh speaks at the inaugural Inspirational Steps event in Malton. Courtesy: Guru Gobind Singh Children's Foundation Jaiswal still volunteers at the GGSCF, where stories about Singh are still regularly told. 'What I've learned is that Fauja Singh's legacy isn't really about running,' she said. 'It's about how there's really no limit to what we can do.' Flora, who has a six-year-old daughter of her own now, is also still involved with the foundation. 'There have been children's books written about him and my daughter has read them,' she said. 'I think it's really important to keep these stories alive.' Beyond individual converts to the religion of running like Jaiswal, another of Singh's enduring impacts on the Greater Toronto Area is Inspirational Steps. Inspired by Singh, it was launched in 2013 and was an event that saw runners race from gurdwara to gurdwara, sometimes covering 50 kilometres between temples in Scarborough and Mississauga. Story continues below advertisement It evolved over time and eventually became the Brampton Half Marathon, which benefits the GGSCF and five other GTA charities. With Singh's death still fresh, every organization he touched is still trying to figure out how best to honour his legacy. Dhillon said there are plans in motion to do a memorial run for Singh. Brookes said the next running of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon will feature memorials and celebrations for its most famous finisher. London is also remembering his achievements, with the Sikhs in the City running club planning to build the Fauja Singh Clubhouse. 'Fauja was an absolute inspiration,' Brookes said. 'He was a leader, a real gentleman, a role model, and we owe him an inestimable debt for what he brought to us.'
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Mona Khan completes London Marathon
The first Pakistani female journalist Mona Khan poses for a picture with her coach Muhammad Yousuf as they completed London Marathon against all odds. PHOTO COURTESY: PR In a historic achievement, Pakistani anchor and journalist Mona Khan has become the first Pakistani female journalist to complete the prestigious London Marathon 2025, alongside Muhammad Yousuf, the first Kashmiri international marathon runner. Their success is not just a personal victory — it is a powerful statement of breaking barriers and beating the odds. Mona Khan's journey to this moment began at the end of 2023, when she made headlines by becoming the first Pakistani female journalist to run the historic and notoriously challenging Athens Marathon in Greece. At a time when marathon running was largely seen as a male-dominated arena, especially for Pakistan, Mona dared to dream bigger. It was Coach Muhammad Yousuf, himself an accomplished international marathon runner, who motivated her to believe that if male national runners could represent Pakistan globally, so could a female journalist. Facing widespread skepticism and negativity, including criticism that running 42.2 km was simply "showing off," Mona Khan stood firm. She turned every doubt into determination, training relentlessly with Yousuf's mentorship and proving critics wrong step by step. In 2024, the duo completed back-to-back major marathons — first at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Canada, then at another challenging race in Italy. Mona's 2025 began with another major milestone in Dubai, setting the stage for her London triumph. However, her path was not without challenges. An injury before the London Marathon tested her physical limits, while the emotional difficulty of leaving behind her young son, Mustafa, in Pakistan weighed heavily on her heart. Mona also made sacrifices for her athletic goals, cutting her long hair for ease in training and enduring intense sun exposure that darkened her skin — yet she stayed focused and undeterred. Completing the London Marathon against all odds, Mona Khan is now being recognized internationally alongside Coach Muhammad Yousuf, who has steadfastly supported her journey.
Associated Press
11-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
TCS Launches the 2025 Team TCS Teachers Contest, Celebrating Educators Through the Power of Running
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, today launched the 2025 Team TCS Teachers contest in North America. Open for applications from March 10 to 31, this initiative celebrates and empowers educators by providing resources both inside and outside the classroom – along with complimentary VIP entry to some of the world's most iconic marathons. Since its inception, Team TCS Teachers has grown into a vibrant community of passionate educators who embody resilience, leadership, and dedication. The 2025 contest builds upon the momentum of a program that began in 2018, further strengthening TCS' commitment to empowering individuals and communities through technology and sport. Building on TCS' longstanding commitment to education, technology, and community impact, the program recognizes outstanding teachers and invites them to participate in major races such as the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Selected teachers will receive VIP entry into one of these races, access to a closed Facebook group of current and past Team TCS Teachers participants—including Susanna Sullivan, the 10th-fastest American women's marathoner in history and a full-time teacher—along with exclusive training support. Additionally, STEM education resources through flagship programs TCS goITTM and TCS Ignite My Future are made available to all contest applicants and winners. Megan Wright, Sports Sponsorship Manager, TCS North America said, 'At TCS, we believe in the transformative power of technology, education, and movement. Through Team TCS Teachers, we celebrate the educators who inspire not only in the classroom but also in the long run. By supporting teachers in their marathon journey, we hope to amplify their impact and help them achieve their personal and professional goals.' TCS promotes health and fitness by sponsoring 14 major global running events like the TCS New York City Marathon, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon. In 2024, runners in TCS sponsored marathons in North America raised $180 million for charity. In addition, TCS donated $500,000 to Rising New York Road Runners, one of NYRR's youth programs. These funds support NYRR's efforts to engage youth from NYC schools by combining activities, short dashes, and races to give kids a fun and rewarding experience designed to build the confidence they need to cross any finish line. Named by Points of Light as one of America's 50 most community-minded companies for eight years running, TCS donates a portion of every dividend dollar to charity. Employee volunteers have positively impacted more than two million students through TCS STEM education programs. In 2025, TCS was named to the FORTUNE® World's Most Admired Companies™ list and has been certified a Top Employer in North America by the Top Employers Institute. How to Enter the 2025 Team TCS Teachers Contest: Educators across the United States and Canada can apply by submitting their stories of how they integrate running and wellness into their teaching or how they inspire students and communities through sport. Entries will be judged based on their impact, creativity, and commitment to making a difference. For more details on the 2025 Team TCS Teachers Contest and how to apply, visit the Team TCS Teachers page on About Tata Consultancy Services Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that has been partnering with many of the world's largest businesses in their transformation journeys for over 56 years. Its consulting-led, cognitive powered, portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions is delivered through its unique Location Independent Agile™ delivery model, recognized as a benchmark of excellence in software development. A part of the Tata group, India's largest multinational business group, TCS has over 607,000 of the world's best-trained consultants in 55 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $29 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and is listed on the BSE and the NSE in India. TCS' proactive stance on climate change and award-winning work with communities across the world have earned it a place in leading sustainability indices such as the MSCI Global Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index. For more information, visit TCS media contacts:
