Fauja Singh, known as the "Turbaned Tornado," was a legendary British marathon runner of Indian origin, born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, Jalandhar, Punjab.

Fauja Singh, known as the "Turbaned Tornado," was a legendary British marathon runner of Indian origin, born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, Jalandhar, Punjab. Despite a difficult childhood with weak legs and inability to walk until age five, he became a farmer before moving to East London in 1992 after his wife's death.

He started running at age 89 to cope with grief following the tragic death of his fifth son, Kuldip. His first marathon was the 2000 London Marathon, which he completed in 6 hours 54 minutes, setting a record for the 90+ age bracket. He continued competing in marathons worldwide including Toronto, New York, and Mumbai, achieving a personal best of 5 hours 40 minutes in the 90+ category at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

At age 100, Fauja Singh made history by setting eight world age-group records in one day at the Ontario Masters Association meet in Toronto, including events from 100m to 400m sprints. Shortly after, he became the first centenarian to complete a full marathon at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011.

He was an inspirational figure known for resilience and fitness advocacy, and was featured in an Adidas campaign  alongside sports legends. Fauja Singh passed away tragically at 114 after being hit by a vehicle near his home village in Punjab on July 14, 2025. His death was mourned worldwide, including by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Fauja Singh's legacy lies not only in his marathon achievements but also in proving that age is no barrier to determination and physical fitness.