Fauja Singh’s passing at 114 marked the end of an extraordinary life, but his legend will continue to race forward. Known worldwide as the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh redefined what it means to grow old, becoming a marathon runner at the age of 89 and finishing races well past his 100th birthday. His death on July 14, after being struck by a vehicle during one of his daily walks in Beas Pind, Punjab, came as a shock to those who saw him as nearly immortal. Even in his final years, Singh never gave up his commitment to movement, proving that discipline and passion can outlast the constraints of age.
For most of his life, Singh lived quietly. Born in 1911, he grew up with fragile legs and didn’t walk properly until he was five. He spent decades as a farmer, and it wasn’t until he moved to London in the 1990s after his wife’s death that his second life began. In 2000, after joining a local running group, he completed his first marathon in London at nearly 90 years old. That single act set him on a path that would eventually include races in New York, Toronto, Mumbai, and more. His most iconic moment came in 2011, when he became the first person believed to be 100 years old to finish a full marathon in Toronto—a feat that could not be officially recognized by Guinness due to missing birth documentation, but one confirmed by his passport and a letter from Queen Elizabeth II.
What made Singh’s story so powerful was not just his athletic achievements, but his unwavering commitment to his culture and beliefs. He refused to remove his turban during races, despite pushback from some organizers. He credited his longevity to a simple vegetarian diet, daily walks, and prayer. He carried the Olympic torch in 2012, starred in global Adidas campaigns, and used his fame to raise funds for charitable causes. His community, through his beloved Sikhs In The City running club, is already planning to build a clubhouse in his memory—a permanent reminder of his impact.
Fauja Singh ran for over a decade, but the values he embodied—resilience, humility, and unwavering spirit—will keep running long after him. His story wasn’t just about defying time. It was about using it fully.
