Dr Ankush Mahajan
At 89, when most envisage retirement and quiet days, Fauja Singh began lacing up his shoes. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas?Pind, Punjab, Fauja was frail as a child and couldn’t walk properly until age five. A life of farming and hardship laid the foundation for a man who would one day defy every expectation.
Grief, Discovery, and a New Beginning
After enduring the sorrow of losing his wife and a son in 1994, Fauja, then in his eighties, found solace in running. A chance glimpse of a marathon on TV ignited a passion that would lead him to join a running club in London. His first marathon-London, 2000-saw him cross the finish line in six hours and 54 minutes at the remarkable age of 89.
Breaking Boundaries
Fauja quickly earned his iconic moniker, the “Turbaned Tornado.” Over the next decade, he appeared in New York, Toronto, Glasgow, Hong Kong races-and made history. At 100, he became the first centenarian to complete a full marathon in Toronto, shattering age stereotypes with an 8-hour, 11-minute run. He also set eight world age-group records in track events that same day.
In 2012, he carried the Olympic torch in London. In 2015, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), honored by Queen Elizabeth II, and featured in a high-profile Adidas campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
The Run of a Lifetime
Fauja’s philosophy was simple: discipline, vegetarian nutrition, abstention from alcohol and tobacco, and unwavering positivity. His daily mantra: “When you get old, you become young again”-a testament to the timelessness of curiosity and willpower.
By age 102, he had officially retired from competitive running. Yet, his final years were marked by youthful vitality: daily walks, motivational talks, and living proof that a life of longevity is built on small, consistent choices.
A Tragic Finish, An Enduring Legacy
On July 14, 2025, at age 114, Fauja was tragically struck by a hit and run vehicle while crossing a highway near his village. He passed later that day in Jalandhar hospital. His funeral on July 20 saw full state honours in Punjab: a glass coffin, formal gun salute, and dignitaries including CM Bhagwant Mann and Governor Kataria in attendance.
Lessons for the Young:
It’s Never Too Late
Starting at 89, Fauja redefined the term “beginner.” For the modern youth, it’s a reminder: your passion need not wait for budget, background, or circumstance.
Live with Purpose
His transformation shows how suffering-personal grief-was transmuted into purpose. Youth today, facing anxiety or uncertainty, can find theirs through service, art, or any meaningful pursuit.
Consistency Over Perfection
Fauja didn’t have fancy gear-just daily runs, simple meals, and fierce mental willpower. This teaches that slow, steady habits bear more fruit than sporadic bursts of effort.
Fueling Mind and Body
His disciplined lifestyle-no smoking, alcohol, processed food-highlights the power of a clean, controlled diet and routine for both health and clarity of mind.
Your Identity Matters
Fauja ran with his turban, proud of his Sikh heritage. He was urged to remove it at events, but he refused. Today’s youth too can learn the value of staying true to roots in a world quick to demand conformity.
A Call to Action
Fauja’s death also reignited calls for safer roads. His story isn’t just about endurance-it’s a poignant reminder of societal responsibility. Milind Soman and PM Modi echoed this sentiment: let his legacy inspire better infrastructure, pedestrian rights, and youth-led activism for public safety.
The Eternal Marathon
In a world increasingly defined by immediacy and comparison, Fauja’s life is a counter-narrative. He reminds us that the longest journeys begin with quiet resolve and that endurance-both physical and mental-is forged step by step.
For today’s youth, his message is clear: don’t race toward a destination that’s not your own. Instead, embrace the journey-however late it starts, wherever it leads. As he once said, every mile left layers of fear and doubt behind. And in that space, you find who you truly are.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
