Fauja Singh, a runner with British and Indian heritage, who was thought to be the oldest marathon runner in the world, passed away after being struck by a car in India on Monday.
He was 114 years old.
Known as the “turban torpedo,” Singh reportedly sustained critical head injuries from a hit-and-run incident while crossing the road in his village near Jalandhar, Punjab.
He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, according to reports.
Authorities stated they are actively searching for the driver involved.
“The search is underway, and we will find the responsible party quickly,” said Harvinder Singh, the district’s police chief.
The London-based running club and charity associated with Singh confirmed his passing through statements on their social media channels.
Singh had made history in 2011 when he became the oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100 in Toronto.
His coach, Hermander Singh, mentioned that the injuries resulted from the vehicle incident while Singh was attempting to cross the street near his home.
The exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing Singh as an inspiration.
Modi remarked on Singh’s exceptional character and the significant impact he had on motivating young people about fitness. “He was a remarkable athlete with immense determination,” he said, expressing his sorrow over Singh’s passing and extending his thoughts to Singh’s family and fans worldwide.
Singh retired from competitive racing at the age of 101 in 2013, completing the 10 km Hong Kong Marathon in just over an hour and a half.
He also had the honor of carrying the torch during the 2012 London Olympics.
Just a year earlier, he had broken records by being the oldest runner to finish a full marathon, taking 8 hours and 11 minutes at the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
His journey began in 2000 when he participated in his first full marathon at 89, eventually running eight more races in cities like London, Toronto, and New York.
His best performance was in the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he completed the race in 5 hours and 40 minutes in the “Over 90” category.
Singh turned to running as a way to cope with the loss of his fifth son, Kurdip, who passed away in 1994. It’s noteworthy that as a child, his family believed he was disabled due to his frail condition, as he did not walk until he was five years old.
