Fauja Singh: The Turbaned Tornado’s Inspiring Legacy

Fauja Singh, a British Sikh marathon runner of Indian origin, dubbed the “Turbaned Tornado,” captivated the world by running marathons well into his 100s. Born in Beas Pind, Jalandhar, Punjab, on April 1, 1911, he died at 114 on July 14, 2025, after a tragic road accident in his native village. His journey from a frail child to a global icon inspired millions, driven by resilience and faith to overcome personal loss. Singh’s story, celebrated in his biography Turbaned Tornado, showcases how he defied age stereotypes through running, charity, and Sikh pride.

Early Life and Challenges

Born the youngest of four in a farming family, Singh faced physical struggles, unable to walk until age five due to weak legs, earning the nickname “danda” (stick). By 15, he embraced farm work, building strength through a simple vegetarian diet of phulka, dal, and yogurt. Personal tragedies struck hard—his wife Gian Kaur died in 1992, followed by his son Kuldip in 1994. Seeking solace, Singh moved to East London and began jogging, transforming grief into purpose.

Rise to Marathon Fame

At 89, under coach Harminder Singh’s guidance, Fauja ran his first London Marathon in 2000, finishing in 6 hours 54 minutes, shattering the 90-plus age group record by 58 minutes. He completed nine marathons, including London, Toronto, and New York, with a personal best of 5 hours 40 minutes at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In 2011, at 100, he set eight world age-group records in one day at the Ontario Masters Association meet, running distances from 100m to 5000m. Though unratified by Guinness due to missing birth records, his Toronto Marathon finish at 100 (8:11:06) made him the first centenarian marathoner.

Global Impact and Recognition

Singh’s feats earned him the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2003), the first non-American recipient, and the Pride of India title (2011). A 2012 London Olympics torchbearer, he appeared in Adidas’ “Impossible is Nothing” campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. His vegetarian diet and Sikh faith, emphasizing discipline and positivity, inspired a PETA campaign. He raised funds for charities like Bliss, supporting premature babies, through his “Sikhs in the City” club.

Legacy and Tragic End

Retiring from competitive running in 2013 after a 10km Hong Kong Marathon (1:32:28), Singh continued walking and supporting causes like Punjab’s anti-drug campaign in 2024. On July 14, 2025, he was fatally struck by a vehicle in Beas Pind. Tributes poured in, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a “symbol of resilience.” His life, chronicled in Turbaned Tornado and an upcoming biopic Fauja, remains a testament to defying limits through faith and perseverance.

-By Manoj H