Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, died after being hit by a car 114

Fauja Singh, an Indian-born athlete, is considered the world’s oldest marathon runner who died after being hit by a car. He is 114 years old.

Local media in India reported that Singh suffered severe head injuries while crossing the road in his home country village near Jalandhar, Punjab on Monday. He was taken to the hospital and later died.

His London running club and charity Sikhs confirmed his death in the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singh, saying he was “extraordinary because of his unique role and the way he inspired the fitness topics of Indian youth.”

“He is an excellent athlete and his determination is incredible,” Modi said. “It hurts because of his death. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers.”

Singh became the oldest man to hold a full marathon in 2011 at 100 in Toronto. The Guinness World Records did not get his achievements because he was not born to prove his age. Singh had a British passport showing his birth date on April 1, 1911, and a letter from Indian government officials said no birth records were retained in 1911.

Sad seniors turn to running

Singh, the torchbearer of the 2012 London Olympics, started running at the age of 89 to resolve his wife and son’s rapid death in India to overcome depression.

In 1994, the death of his son caused particularly great losses because of its terrible nature. Singh and his son Kuldip were both farmers when they were checking their fields when a piece of corrugated metal was blown by the wind in the middle of a storm.

Singh’s other five children immigrated, and he was alone.

“He thought life without a son was not worth it without a son”.

Fauja Singh, who lives in London with his young son, met some Sikh marathon athletes who encouraged him to run long distances.

At the age of 89 in 2000, he participated in the London Marathon and continued to do it eight times. His best time was five hours and 40 minutes in the 2003 Toronto Marathon.

“There are great success and happiness from the tragedy,” Singh said.

Singh participated in the 101-year-old 2013 race in 2013 and completed the 10km race of the Hong Kong Marathon in one hour, 32 minutes and 28 seconds.

After Singh retired, he hoped that “people will remember me.” He also wants people to continue to invite him to the event, “rather than just because I’m not running anymore, completely forgetting me.”