Fauja Singh, the celebrated 114‑year‑old marathon legend, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, following a tragic hit‑and‑run in Beas village, Jalandhar district, Punjab. According to The Tribune, Singh was struck by an unidentified vehicle at approximately 3.30 pm while crossing the road near his home. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
Known globally as the oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh became a symbol of endurance and inspiration after he began running competitively in his late 80s. He completed several major international marathons including those in London, New York, and Toronto well past the age of 100. His late-blooming but iconic career shattered age stereotypes and drew admiration from across the world.
Police are treating the case as a hit‑and‑run and have appealed for eyewitnesses or CCTV footage that may help identify the vehicle involved.
Singh’s legacy extended beyond the track. He was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2003, the Pride of India award in 2011, and the British Empire Medal in 2015. He also carried the Olympic torch during the London 2012 Games. In 2010, he received the Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to sports and his community.
In January 2021, a biopic titled Fauja was announced by filmmaker Omung Kumar. The film is based on Khushwant Singh’s biography Turbaned Tornado and aims to depict Singh’s life journey from adversity to athletic stardom. The cast includes Shantanu Maheshwari, Avneet Kaur, Kha Nghan, Pavan Malhotra, Karthik Dammu, and Jogi Mallang. The film remains under production with no confirmed release date.
Tributes continue to pour in from India and abroad, remembering Fauja Singh not just as a marathoner, but as a global ambassador of discipline, Sikh resilience, and the limitless human spirit. His final rites are awaited in Beas, where mourners have begun gathering to honour a truly remarkable life.
