Fauja Singh, the British Sikh marathon runner widely recognized as the world's oldest marathon runner, has died at the age of 114. He was killed in a road accident in his native village of Beas Pind near Jalandhar, Punjab, India on July 14, 2025.
According to reports, Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died at approximately 7:30 PM. Police have launched an investigation and believe the vehicle involved was a car.
Born on April 1, 1911, in the undivided Punjab, Singh's journey to becoming a marathon runner began much later in life. He emigrated to England in the 1990s and took up running at the age of 89 to cope with the grief following the death of his fifth son in a construction accident in 1994. Settling in Ilford, he soon gained worldwide recognition for his achievements in the 90-plus age category.
Singh's first marathon was in London in 2000, which he completed in 6 hours and 54 minutes. His personal best came in Toronto in 2003, with a time of five hours and 40 minutes. In 2011, at the age of 100, he set eight world age-group records in a single day at a special event in Toronto, Canada. Three days later, he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, finishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8 hours, 11 minutes, and 6 seconds.
Fauja Singh's accomplishments and longevity inspired countless people around the globe. Despite suffering from weak legs as a child and not being able to walk until he was five years old, he went on to complete over 100 marathons. He was also part of Adidas' "Impossible is Nothing" campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. He was a torchbearer for the London Olympics in 2012 and was awarded the British Empire Medal.
Singh's death has been met with widespread sadness and tributes. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria called him a "symbol of resilience" and expressed heartfelt condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Singh's unique persona and his inspiration to the youth of India on the topic of fitness. His legacy as an athlete and an inspiration will continue to live on.
