Fauja Singh wasn’t born a legend. In fact, he couldn’t even walk until he was five. Born in 1911 in rural Punjab, he was a frail child—so weak that people whispered he might never walk properly. But life had a long race planned for Fauja. Slowly, those fragile legs found strength in the fields, and he grew into a hardworking farmer who loved to run. That love, however, was quietly buried during the turbulence of Partition and the demands of survival.
Decades later, heartbreak would lead him back to the track. After losing his wife in 1992 and his son just two years later, Fauja—then in his 80s—moved to London, carrying the heavy weight of grief. In a new land, with a broken heart, he turned to something familiar: running. One step at a time, pain turned into purpose. He wasn’t chasing medals—he was chasing peace.
At 89, he stunned the world by completing the 2000 London Marathon in under seven hours. Suddenly, this turbaned grandfather became a global sensation. From Toronto to New York, Mumbai to Hong Kong, Fauja kept running—clocking astonishing times for someone twice, even three times, the age of most participants. In 2003, he ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 5 hours 40 minutes, a record for his age group.
But Fauja wasn’t done. At 100, while most are confined to wheelchairs or resting at home, he laced up for another full marathon—and became the first centenarian to finish it. That day, he set eight world records in short-distance races. The world watched in awe.
Brands like Adidas featured him alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. He carried the Olympic torch in 2012. Books were written. A biopic was planned. Through it all, Fauja remained grounded, radiating humility and quiet strength.
Even after retiring at 102, he continued walking daily and giving motivational talks—his life itself the greatest message. Tragically, on July 14, 2025, at the age of 114, he passed away in a road accident.
But his story still runs. Fauja Singh didn’t just outrun age—he outran grief, stereotypes, and every limit the world placed on him. And he left behind a legacy that reminds us: it’s never too late to start again.