The running world has lost one of its most remarkable figures as Fauja Singh, believed to be the world's oldest marathoner and a two-time Luxembourg race participant, passed away at age 114.
Fauja Singh, celebrated as the world's oldest marathon runner and a two-time participant in Luxembourg's ING Night Marathon, has died in India at the age of 114 following a road accident. His biographer confirmed the news on Tuesday.
The renowned athlete, nicknamed the "Turbaned Tornado", was hit by a vehicle on Monday while crossing a road in his native Jalandhar district, in the north-western state of Punjab, Khushwant Singh confirmed on his X account. "My Turbaned Tornado is no more", the biographer wrote, "rest in peace, my dear Fauja".
Though lacking official birth documentation, Singh's family maintained he was born 1 April 1911, during British rule in India. He began marathon running at age 89 after being inspired by televised races, launching an extraordinary second career that brought him global recognition.
The bearded, turbaned runner carried the Olympic torch in both 2004 and 2012. His final full marathon came at age 101 in Hong Kong (2013), though he continued participating in races. In 2010 and 2011, he participated in Luxembourg's ING Night Marathon, where crowds enthusiastically cheered him along the route.
Despite his fame, Guinness World Records could never certify him as the oldest marathon runner due to missing birth records. Singh attributed his longevity to daily walks in rural India and a diet featuring "laddu" (a local sweet) and curdled milk.
