RIP Fauja Singh: World's oldest marathoner dies in Road accident
RIP Fauja Singh: World's oldest marathoner dies in Road accident
Digital Desk: Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathoner, died in a car accident on Monday at the age of 114. He was born on April 1, 1911, in Beyas village, Jalandhar district, Punjab.
According to a BBC Punjabi report, a car hit him on the Jalandhar-Pathankot expressway on Monday afternoon. He sustained a significant brain injury. Fauja was immediately brought to the hospital. However, he died around 7:30 p.m. IST on Monday.
Fauja Singh's remains have reportedly been stored in a mortuary until his children, who reside overseas, arrive. Only once they arrive will his final ceremonies be conducted.
Fauja started to run consistently at the age of 89, and in 2000 he participated in his first marathon, the London Marathon.
Nine 26-mile (42-kilometer) marathons were run by Fauja Singh in New York, Toronto, and London. In Toronto, he set a personal best time of five hours, forty minutes, and four seconds.
Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab governor, expressing shock, posted on his official Facebook account, saying, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, it is heartbreaking to learn that he lost his life today in a tragic road accident in his village. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier and drug-free Punjab."
Most significantly, he served as a torchbearer for the 2004 Athens Games and the 2012 London Olympics. A few years ago, he also got featured with David Beckham and Muhammad Ali in an advertisement for a major sports brand.
