Punjab and the global Sikh community are in deep mourning. On July 14, 2025, the world’s oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, passed away at the age of 114 after a tragic road accident near his ancestral village, Bias Pind, in Jalandhar, Punjab. Known fondly as the “Turbaned Tornado,” Fauja Singh was far more than just a record-breaking athlete — he was a living embodiment of resilience, faith, and the Sikh spirit of chardi kala (eternal optimism)
A Journey Rooted in Faith and Endurance
Born in 1911 in British India, Fauja Singh lived through an era of unimaginable change: from colonial rule and Partition to wars and mass migration. For decades, he was a humble farmer. It wasn’t until his late 80s, after losing his wife and a son, that he turned to running — first as therapy for grief, then as a spiritual path.
Incredibly, at the age of 89, he ran his first marathon in London. At 100, he famously finished the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011, becoming the oldest person ever to complete a full marathon. While Guinness World Records declined to certify his achievement due to missing birth documents, the world had already crowned him the “Turbaned Tornado.”
A Global Icon Beyond Age
Fauja Singh was unique. While centenarian athletes like Poland’s Stanislaw Kowalski and Japan’s Hidekichi Miyazaki competed in niche masters events, Singh ran major international marathons — New York, London, Hong Kong — alongside elite athletes less than half his age.
His white beard and turban became symbols of strength, grace, and Sikh pride. In a post-9/11 world where Sikh identity often faced misunderstanding, Singh quietly transformed perceptions. Without speeches or slogans, he ran as a message: faith, humility, and perseverance know no age.
Great Loss 💔
— Daphi (@Dafi_syiemz) July 15, 2025
Fauja Singh, aged 144, died in an accident. A legendary marathoner who inspired generations,
not politicians.
May his soul rest in peace.
Om Shanti 🙏#Accident #punjap #OmShanti #INDvsENGTest #Jadeja #Siraj#LokeshKanagaraj #JoyEastBengal#PrashanthNeel pic.twitter.com/BtlrVTzD79
More Than an Athlete: A Moral Compass for Punjab
In Punjab, where youth often struggle with drug abuse, unemployment, and hopelessness, Fauja Singh’s life story was a beacon. Just weeks before his death, at 114, he led a walkathon against substance abuse, inspiring thousands.
His discipline was legendary: a vegetarian diet of dal-roti and fruits, daily meditation, no processed food, and a strict routine. Despite global fame — including carrying the Olympic torch in 2012 and being featured in Nike’s “Impossible is Nothing” campaign — his humility remained intact. He refused sponsorships that conflicted with his values and donated much of his earnings to charity.
Tributes Across the World
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, saying Singh “inspired India’s youth on fitness and determination” and called his passing “painful.” Across gurdwaras in Punjab, Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia, special ardaas (prayers) have been held.
Social media is flooded with tributes: “Grandfather of Endurance,” “Living Legend, Now Eternal.” Even young people who never met him speak of how his life reshaped their view of ageing and purpose.
A Story Headed for the Big Screen
Interest in Fauja Singh’s cinematic story has also revived. A Bollywood biopic, Fauja, announced in 2021 by director Omung Kumar and producer Kunal Shivdasani, may now finally move forward. Based on Khushwant Singh’s acclaimed book The Turbaned Tornado, it promises to capture themes of grief, resilience, and spiritual strength — a story with universal appeal.
In Memory of Fauja Singh: The Turbaned Tornado
From Bias Pind to Toronto, from quiet Punjab fields to global finish lines, Fauja Singh carried Sikh values — resilience, service, and optimism — on his shoulders. Though he may no longer be running among us, his footsteps echo forever in the hearts of millions.
“To feel closer to the One above.” — Fauja Singh
May his memory continue to inspire generations to run, not just on tracks and roads, but towards hope, faith, and purpose.
