World’s Oldest Marathoner, 114, Dies in Hit-and-Run Accident: 'Our Icon of Humanity'
- - - World’s Oldest Marathoner, 114, Dies in Hit-and-Run Accident: 'Our Icon of Humanity'
Natasha DyeJuly 16, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Keshav Singh/Hindustan Times via Getty
World's oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, on September 13, 2016
Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner, died on July 14 at the age of 114
Singh died from severe head injuries after being struck in a hit-and-run accident in India
India's prime minister Narenda Modi described Singh as an "exceptional athlete with incredible determination"
The world's oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, has died at the age of 114 after being hit by a car, according to multiple reports.
The Indian runner reportedly sustained severe head injuries in a hit-and-run after being struck by a vehicle while he was walking across a street near his native village in Punjab on Monday, July 14, according to the and ESPN. Singh was transported to a local hospital, where he died.
Singh's coach at his running club called Sikhs in the City, confirmed his death.
"Dearest runners. It is with great sadness that we can confirm our icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity Fauja Singh has passed away in India," the club wrote on Instagram.
The club said it will be devoting all of its events through Singh's next birthday in March 2026 to the late runner.
Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty
Fauja Singh runs a marathon at 99 years old
In 2011, Singh became the oldest man to run a full marathon at the age of 100, per ESPN. At the time, Guinness World Records couldn't award him the record because he didn't have a birth certificate. According to ESPN, Singh provided a letter from the Indian government acknowledging that birth records in India were not kept in 1911.
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After Singh's death, India prime minister Narenda Modi paid tribute to the runner in a post on X.
"Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness," Modi said.
Modi added, "He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world."
According to ESPN, Singh, a farmer, began running when he was 89 years old in an effort to cope with depression after losing his wife and son. In 1994, his son was decapitated on the family's land when he was hit by a piece of metal during a storm. Singh was a witness to the horrific accident.
His coach said Singh "didn't think his life was worth living" after his son's death, per ESPN. After moving to London to live with his youngest son, Singh joined a community of runners and ran his first marathon in 2000.
"From a tragedy has come a lot of success and happiness," he once said, according to ESPN.
Singh was 101 when he ran in the Hong Kong Marathon in 2013, his final competitive race.
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