Jalandhar, India – July 16, 2025 – Fauja Singh, the world-renowned marathon runner known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 114, following a tragic hit-and-run accident in his native village of Beas Pind, Jalandhar district, Punjab. The iconic British-Indian Sikh athlete, celebrated for defying age stereotypes by running marathons well into his 100s, was struck by an unidentified vehicle while on a routine walk, leaving the global running community and admirers worldwide in mourning.
According to local police and family members, the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. IST on the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway. Singh was crossing the road near his home when a speeding vehicle, identified via CCTV footage as a white SUV, hit him and fled the scene. He suffered severe head and chest injuries and was rushed to Shriman Hospital in Jalandhar, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 7:30 p.m. IST. Punjab Police have since arrested a 30-year-old non-resident Indian, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, in connection with the accident and recovered the vehicle, a white Fortuner, within 30 hours of the incident. A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.
Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, Fauja Singh overcame significant physical challenges in his early years, unable to walk until age five due to weak legs. The youngest of four siblings in a farming family, he spent much of his life working the fields in Punjab before moving to East London in 1992 after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur. It was in the wake of further personal tragedy—the loss of his fifth son, Kuldip, in 1994—that Singh turned to running at the age of 89 to cope with grief. What began as a means of emotional healing transformed into an extraordinary athletic career that inspired millions.
Singh, affectionately dubbed the “Turbaned Tornado” for his endurance and distinctive Sikh turban, made history in 2000 by completing the London Marathon at age 89 in 6 hours and 54 minutes. Over the next decade, he ran nine full marathons in cities including London, Toronto, and New York, setting multiple age-group records. In 2011, at age 100, he became the first centenarian to complete a full marathon, finishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds. That same year, he achieved an astonishing feat by breaking eight world age-group records in a single day at the Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet in Toronto. Although Guinness World Records did not officially recognize his marathon achievement due to the absence of birth documentation from colonial India, his accomplishments remain undisputed in the global running community.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Singh was a cultural icon and philanthropist. He raised over £100,000 for charities, including causes supporting premature babies, and proudly promoted Sikh culture on the global stage. His turban and beard, he often said, were symbols of his faith and identity that enhanced his respect worldwide. Singh appeared in advertising campaigns alongside sports legends like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali and was featured as the oldest participant in a PETA campaign advocating vegetarianism. In 2003, he became the first non-American to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for promoting racial tolerance, and in 2011, he was awarded the Pride of India title. He also carried the Olympic torch for the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics and was honored with the British Empire Medal in 2015.
Singh retired from competitive running at age 101 after completing a 10-kilometer race at the 2013 Hong Kong Marathon in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. Even in retirement, he remained active, participating in community events like the “Nasha Mukt – Rangla Punjab” march in December 2024 to promote a drug-free Punjab, where his presence alongside Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria inspired thousands. His disciplined lifestyle—marked by a vegetarian diet, daily walks, and a positive outlook—was credited for his remarkable longevity and vitality.
Tributes poured in from across the globe following Singh’s passing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as “extraordinary,” noting his ability to inspire youth on the importance of fitness. Punjab Governor Kataria called him a “symbol of resilience and hope,” while former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh hailed his “unwavering spirit.” Author Khushwant Singh, who chronicled his life in the 2011 biography *Turbaned Tornado*, expressed profound sadness, writing on X, “My Turbaned Tornado is no more. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”
Singh’s son, Harvinder Singh, shared emotional memories of his father’s love for stylish clothing and branded shoes, emphasizing his desire to spend his final days in Beas Pind. Discussions are underway to build a memorial in his honor, with his last rites held in his native village on July 15, 2025.
Fauja Singh’s life was a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the belief that age is no barrier to greatness. From a frail child in rural Punjab to a global icon who ran marathons into his 100s, his legacy will continue to inspire generations to pursue fitness, overcome adversity, and embrace life with unwavering spirit.
