Toronto’s Fauja Singh, World’s Oldest Marathon Runner, Dies at 114 in Hit-and-Run — Driver Who Fled Arrested
Toronto – Fauja Singh, the iconic marathon runner known worldwide as the “Turbaned Tornado,” has died at the age of 114 after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident while visiting India. Authorities have since arrested the driver responsible for fleeing the scene.
The suspect, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, who had recently returned from Canada, was arrested in Bhogpur after a swift police investigation. The vehicle involved — a black Toyota Fortuner (PB 20C 7100) — has been recovered.
Police confirmed that Singh was on a routine walk when he was struck by a speeding SUV, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Dhillon is now in police custody and expected to face serious charges.
“It is with the utmost sadness that I can confirm our icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity, Fauja Singh, has passed away,” wrote his long-time coach, Harmander Singh, on social media.
A Legacy Built on Perseverance
Fauja Singh only began running competitively at the age of 89, but in just over a decade, he became a global symbol of determination. He was the first centenarian to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon at 100 years old in 2011.
After the sudden deaths of his wife and son, Singh turned to running as a way to heal. He later moved to the UK and frequently visited Canada, calling the second phase of his life a “rebirth.”
“I used to farm. I never trained to run. But I found new strength in my old age,” he once told OMNI News in 2011.
Despite never being officially entered into the Guinness Book of World Records due to lack of formal birth documentation, Singh was widely celebrated as a living legend.
Tributes Pour In
The Brampton Marathon called Singh “more than a runner — a movement.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a tribute calling him “extraordinary”, saying Singh inspired the youth on fitness and perseverance.
