Running Against Time: The Unstoppable Story of Fauja Singh

Some lives aren’t just lived, they’re run. Fauja Singh’s life is one such astonishing journey that challenges our very understanding of human limits, age, resilience, and the definition of achievement.

Our “Topical” episode, this week, focuses on the remarkable story of Fauja Singh, an Indian-born British marathon runner whose feats have captivated the world, not just for their physical endurance, but for the emotional and spiritual strength they reveal. Though his claimed birthdate was April 1st, 1911, the lack of official documentation from his native village in Punjab meant that his records were never formally recognized by organizations like the Guinness World Records. Yet, his impact and accomplishments remain undeniably real.

Singh’s childhood was marked by physical frailty. Unable to walk until age five, he was mocked and called “Danda” (stick) by local children. After dabbling in amateur running, he gave it up around the time of the partition. His life might have faded into quiet anonymity if not for a profound personal tragedy decades later: between 1992 and 1994, Singh lost his wife, daughter, and son. These devastating events became a turning point, pushing him to rediscover running, not as a sport, but as a way to heal.

At the claimed age of 89, Singh began training seriously, showing up to his first session in a three-piece suit. Initially unaware that a marathon stretched 42 kilometers, not 26, his journey began with endearing innocence but soon evolved into disciplined determination. His commitment deepened, culminating in a remarkable debut at the 2000 London Marathon.

Over the next decade, Singh became a global icon, reportedly completing several marathons well into his 90s. At the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, he claimed to finish in 5 hours 40 minutes, setting an unofficial best in the 90+ age bracket. He continued this trajectory with other marathon finishes, all while facing rejection from record keepers due to unverifiable age documentation. But those who witnessed his feats knew they were witnessing something extraordinary.

In 2011, at his claimed age of 100, Singh stunned the world again. At a special meet in Toronto, he reportedly set eight world age-group records in a single day, running everything from the 100 meters to 5,000 meters. Just days later, he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in over eight hours, becoming the first centenarian to do so, though not officially recognized.

Singh credited his endurance and longevity to simple living: a vegetarian diet of chapati, dal, vegetables, and tea with ginger; no alcohol or tobacco; and an early bedtime. But it wasn’t just physical health, he also spoke of the spiritual strength that helped him through the hardest parts of a marathon.

He was also the oldest member of Sikhs in the City, a running group based in East London that raised money for charity and promoted interfaith understanding. His legacy extended far beyond sport: he was featured in an Adidas campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali, carried the Olympic torch in 2012, and was honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the British Empire Medal.

Singh’s journey wasn’t without controversy; his presence at a political rally in 2012 drew criticism, but his life remained a beacon of what it means to turn personal grief into global inspiration. He passed away tragically in July 2025, struck by a vehicle in his home village. Yet his story remains timeless.

From “Danda” to Turban Tornado, Fauja Singh reminds us that human potential isn’t bound by age or recognition. His life asks us: What limits are we accepting too easily, and what might happen if we dared to run past them?

* These conversations are brought to life through the voices of our AI hosts, Ira and Dev, who guide you with thoughtful narration and engaging dialogue.