Fauja Singh, 114-yr-old marathon runner from Punjab, killed in road accident

‘Turbaned Tornado is no more’: Fauja Singh died at a private hospital after a road accident in Jalandhar district on Monday evening

Updated on: Jul 15, 2025, 24:00:33 IST

By HT News Desk

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Fauja Singh, the a legendary marathon runner from Punjab and the UK, died at a private hospital in Jalandhar on Monday evening.

Fauja Singh, after migrating to England in the 1990s, took up running seriously at the age of 89. (HT File Photo)

He was reportedly hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 in the afternoon when he was crossing the road in his village Beas.

“My Turbaned Tornado is no more,” Chandigarh-based author Khushwant Singh posted on Facebook, referring to the title of Fauja Singh's biography that he wrote.

“It is heartbreaking to learn that he lost his life today in a tragic road accident,” Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria said.

Khushwant shared a video tribute too.

Started running marathons at 89

Fauja Singh said he was born on April 1, 1911. He could not walk until he was five years old, his biography noted. He grew up to become an amateur runner but Partition of India disrupted his life much as it did for lakhs of others in the region.

After a number of his family members died in accidents and otherwise, he returned to running as means to overcome depression. Having migrated to England in the 1990s to live with one of his sons, at 89 years of age, he seriously returned to running and competed in age-group international marathons.

‘Will continue to inspire’

“Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment, the governor said. His legacy, he added, would live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab.

Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, jathedar (chief) of the Sikh temopral seat Akal Takht, mourned the demise: "Sardar Fauja Singh was a vibrant and spirited Sikh who brought global recognition and honor to the Sikh identity and the turban".

"Sardar Fauja Singh always walked forward in life following the teachings of Gurbani: ‘Look ahead; don’t turn your face backwards...’” Every youngster in Punjab should draw lessons from his life, he added.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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