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{{Short description|Marathon runner and supercentenarian}}
{{For-multi|Punjab MLA|Fauja Singh Sarari|anti-Nirankari protester|Fauja Singh (Sikh leader)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date= October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date= October 2023}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| headercolor =
| name = Fauja Singh
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|BEM}}
| image = Fauja Singh in 2007.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Singh in 2007
| nickname = Turbaned Tornado<br />Running Baba<br />Sikh Superman<ref name="straits">{{cite news|last=Wee|first=Lea|title=Running gave him second wind|newspaper=The Straits Times|location=Singapore|date=13 December 2012|page=24}}</ref>
| nationality = British
| birth_place = [[Beas Pind]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]
| yearsactive = 2000–present
| height = 1.72 m
| weight = {{convert|53|kg|lb|0}}
| country = United Kingdom
| sport = [[Marathon]]
| retired = 24 February 2013<ref name="feb2013">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Marathon-runner-Fauja-Singh-to-retire-after-one-last-run/Article1-999041.aspx | page= 169 |title=New Delhi Marathon runner Fauja Singh to retire after one last run 3rd of September |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125060049/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Marathon-runner-Fauja-Singh-to-retire-after-one-last-run/Article1-999041.aspx |archive-date=25 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="ndtv">{{cite news|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/item/204074-at-101-fauja-singh-completes-his-final-marathon?pfrom=home-otherstories|title=At 101, Fauja Singh completes his final marathon|date=24 February 2013|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=24 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226234019/http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/item/204074-at-101-fauja-singh-completes-his-final-marathon?pfrom=home-otherstories|archive-date=26 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| updated = 26 January 2013
}}

'''Fauja Singh''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|BEM}} ({{lang-pa|ਫੌਜਾ ਸਿੰਘ}}) is a British [[Sikh]] and retired [[marathon]] runner of [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] [[Indian people|Indian]] descent. He has beaten a number of [[Masters Athletics World Records|world records]] in multiple age brackets, but none of his times have been ratified as records. His personal best time for the [[London Marathon]] (2003) is 6 hours 2 minutes,<ref name="bbc2005">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/4631111.stm|title=Life Begins at 90|first=Mark|last=Ashenden|work=BBC News|date=30 June 2005|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> and his marathon best, claimed for the 90-plus age bracket, is 5 hours 40 minutes at the alleged age of 92, at the 2003 [[Toronto Waterfront Marathon]].<ref name="express2004"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4084162.stm|title=Runner, 94, finishes capital race|work=BBC News|access-date=16 October 2011|date=12 June 2005}}</ref>

==Biography==

=== Early life ===
Fauja Singh claims to have been born in [[Beas Pind]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab region|Punjab]], [[British India]] on 1 April 1911,<ref name="express2004">{{cite news|first=Vijay|last=Rana|title=At 93, Adidas Marathon man Fauja runs with god as partner|date=19 April 2004|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/45350|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]| access-date=18 October 2011|quote="I run while talking to God."}}</ref> the youngest of four children. Singh did not walk until he was five years old. His legs were thin and weak, and he could hardly walk long distances. Because of this, he was often teased, and he was called by the nickname "danda" ({{lang-pa|ਡੰਡਾ}} for "stick") for the next ten years. As a young man, Singh was an avid amateur runner, but he gave it up at the time of the [[Partition of India]].

=== Return to running as a passion ===
It was only after witnessing the death of his fifth son, Kuldip, in a construction accident in August 1994, that Singh returned to his passion for running, in 1995. The death of his wife in 1992, and his eldest daughter who had died from complications after giving birth to his third granddaughter, gave him the determination for this new focus in life.<ref name="straits"/> He emigrated to England in the 1990s and lives with one of his sons in [[Ilford]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Age catches up with Fauja Singh|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/age-catches-up-with-fauja-singh-8508316.html|work=The Independent|access-date=22 March 2013|location=London|first=Simon|last=Turnbull|date=24 February 2013}}</ref>

At 89 years, he took seriously to running and ended up in international marathon events. When he first turned up for training at [[London Borough of Redbridge|Redbridge]], [[Essex]], he was dressed in a three-piece suit. The coach had to rework everything, including his attire. Singh ran his first race, the [[London Marathon]], in 2000.<ref name="ndtv2011"/> According to his coach, he used to run up to 20 kilometres easily and wanted to run a marathon, thinking it to be just 26 kilometres and not {{convert|26|mi|km|abbr=off}}. It was after he realised this that he began training seriously.<ref>{{cite news|first=John |last=Carney |title=Marathon man, 100, takes challenges in his stride |date=3 February 2012 |url=http://topics.scmp.com/news/hk-news-watch/article/Marathon-man-100-takes-challenges-in-his-stride |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715195945/http://topics.scmp.com/news/hk-news-watch/article/Marathon-man-100-takes-challenges-in-his-stride |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=14 February 2012 }}</ref>

At the age of 93, Singh completed a marathon in 6 hours and 54 minutes, 58 minutes quicker than the world best for the 90-plus age bracket.<ref name="express2004"/>

In 2004, he was featured in an [[advertising campaign]] for sportswear manufacturer [[Adidas]] alongside [[David Beckham]] and [[Muhammad Ali]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The secret of the world's oldest marathon runner|date=19 October 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/oct/19/secret-worlds-oldest-marathon-runner-100|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 February 2012|location=London, UK|first=Nosheen|last=Iqbal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The new face of adidas, 93 |date=30 March 2004 |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9978399-the-new-face-of-adidas-93.do |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126113624/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9978399-the-new-face-of-adidas-93.do |archive-date=26 January 2012}}</ref>

Singh bettered the UK records for the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, mile and 3000 m for his, claimed, age group, all within a single 94-minute period,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.currybear.com/wordpress/?p=4239|title=The Real Singh, the Real King (Fauja Singh)|work=Curry Bear|date=April 2010|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bvaf.org.uk/oldnews.htm|title=94-year-old breaks 5 records within 94 minutes|publisher=British Masters Athletic Federation|access-date=16 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017173311/http://www.bvaf.org.uk/oldnews.htm|archive-date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com/2007/07/14/who-are-the-oldest-people-on-our-planet-and-why-are-they-that-healthy-part-4|title=Who Are The Oldest People on Our Planet? And, Why Are They That Healthy?|work=Diabetes Diet Dialogue|date=14 July 2007|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref> but they are not currently listed as records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mastersathletics.co.uk/uk-age-group-track-records/|title=UK Age Group Track Records|publisher=Masters Athletics UK|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref>

At the age of 100, Singh attempted and accomplished eight [[world records in masters athletics|world age group records]] in one day, at the special Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet, held at [[Birchmount Stadium]] in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], [[Canada]]. Timed by officials in Canada, he ran the [[100 metres]] in 23.14, [[200 metres]] in 52.23, the [[400 metres]] in 2:13.48, the [[800 metres]] in 5:32.18, the [[1500 metres]] in 11:27.81, the [[Mile run|mile]] in 11:53.45, the [[3000 metres]] in 24:52.47, and the [[5000 metres]] in 49:57.39, setting five world records for his age group in one day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://masterstrack.com/2011/10/20285 |title=M100 Indian sets 8 world records in succession? Check ID first |publisher=Masterstrack.com |access-date=16 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031133913/http://masterstrack.com/2011/10/20285/ |archive-date=31 October 2011}}</ref> Some events had no previous record holder, as nobody over age 100 had ever attempted the distance. Some of his marks are significantly superior to the listed world record in the M95 age group as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontariomastersathletics.ca/?p=2407|title=100 Year Old Fauja Singh Sets EIGHT World Records in a Row|publisher=Ontario Masters Athletics|date=13 October 2011|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

Three days later, on 16 October 2011, Singh was claimed to have become the first 100-year-old to finish a marathon, completing the [[Toronto Waterfront Marathon]] in 8:11:06.<ref>{{cite news|title=Another marathon milestone for centenarian|date=17 October 2011|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111018/main6.htm|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> As it took him over 14 minutes after the gun to cross the starting line, the official time submitted, and declined, for the age group record was 8:25:17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=47498&first=Fauja&last=Singh&bibnum=&page=&sortby=place&city=&sizeofpage=20&limit=2000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910045908/http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=47498&first=Fauja&last=Singh&bibnum=&page=&sortby=place&city=&sizeofpage=20&limit=2000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012 |title=Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon |publisher=Sport Stats |access-date=16 October 2011 }}</ref>

''[[Guinness World Records]]'' refused to include Singh in its record book because he could not produce his birth certificate to prove his age. Birth records were not kept in India in 1911<ref>{{cite news|title=Fauja Singh, 100, won't make Guinness|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/7143946/guinness-certify-100-year-old-fauja-singh-marathon|agency=Associated Press|access-date=24 October 2011}}</ref> although Singh was able to produce a passport listing his date of birth as 1 April 1911, and a letter from [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] congratulating him on his 100th birthday.<ref>https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/2011/10/24/fauja-singh-marathon-no-record_n_1028410.html?ir=UK {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

In October 2011, Singh, a [[vegetarian]], became the oldest man to be featured in a [[PETA]] campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/100-year-old-marathoner-fauja-singh-becomes-petas-poster-boy/articleshow/10441985.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112010253/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-21/off-the-field/30305790_1_vegetarian-diet-peta-ad-peta-india|archive-date=12 January 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=100-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh becomes PETA's poster boy|date=21 October 2011}}</ref>
In July 2012, Singh carried the Olympic torch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/news/Fauja-Singh-101-dazzles-in-Olympic-Torch-relay/articleshow/15080036.cms|title=Fauja Singh, 101, dazzles in Olympic Torch relay|date=21 July 2012|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

Singh had stated that he would retire from competitive running after taking part in the Hong Kong marathon on 24 February 2013, five weeks shy of his 102nd birthday.<ref name="feb2013"/> He completed the 10 kilometre run at the Hong Kong marathon in 1 hour 32 minutes and 28 seconds,<ref name="ndtv"/> and said that he intends to continue running for pleasure, health and charity.

Singh was awarded the [[British Empire Medal]] (BEM) in the [[2015 New Year Honours]] for services to sport and charity.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61092|supp=y|page=N33|date=31 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391413/New_Year_Honours_List_2015.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102104907/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391413/New_Year_Honours_List_2015.pdf|url-status=dead|title=2015 New Year Honours List|archivedate=2 January 2015}}</ref>

Singh is {{convert|1.72|m|ftin|abbr=off}} tall and weighs {{convert|52|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. He attributes his physical fitness and longevity to abstaining from smoking and alcohol and to following a simple vegetarian diet.<ref>{{cite news|first=Lauren|last=Johnston|title=100-year-old Fauja Singh sets world record: Oldest runner to complete a marathon|date=17 October 2011|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/running_dialogue/2011/10/100-year-old-fauja-singh-sets-world-record-oldest-runner-to-complete-a-mara|work=Daily News|location=New York |access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> He has been quoted as saying "I am very careful about different foods. My diet is simple [[phulka]], [[dal]], green vegetables, yogurt and milk. I do not touch [[paratha]]s, [[pakora]]s, rice or any other fried food. I take lots of water and tea with [[ginger]]. ... I go to bed early taking the name of my ''Rabba'' (God) as I don't want all those negative thoughts crossing my mind."<ref name="express2004"/>

Speaking about the marathon, he said: "The first 20 miles are not difficult. As for last six miles, I run while talking to God."<ref name="express2004"/>

=== Retirement from running ===
As of April 2023, Fauja no longer runs himself but still enjoys cheering on marathon runners at events.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kanthwal |first=Gaurav Kanthwal |date=30 April 2023 |title=What keeps Fauja Singh going |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/what-keeps-fauja-singh-going-503214}}</ref>

==Sikhs in the City==
He is the eldest of a group of Sikhs who call themselves "Sikhs in the City". There were three other Sikhs, aged 79, 79 and 80, in the "Golden Oldies" team which ran the Edinburgh Marathon relay in 2009.<ref name=Potter>{{cite news|first=Laura|last=Potter|title=Glad to be grey|date=20 June 2009|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jun/20/fauja-singh-marathon-runners|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 February 2012|location=London, UK}}</ref> The SITC running group are a now a well-established team based in East London, running marathons across the world with interfaith groups and raising money for Fauja Singh's charities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sikhsinthecity.org/history-archive/|title=History of Sikhs in the City|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084639/http://www.sikhsinthecity.org/history-archive/|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==''Turbaned Tornado''==
His biography, titled ''Turbaned Tornado'', was formally released in the Attlee Room of Britain's [[House of Lords]] on 7 July 2011 by [[Anthony Young, Baron Young of Norwood Green|Lord Anthony Young]] of Norwood Green and retired British Crown Court judge Sir [[Mota Singh]]. The book was written by [[Chandigarh]]-based columnist and writer [[Khushwant Singh]].<ref name="ndtv2011">{{cite news|title=Fauja Singh: Marathoner, poster boy, 100 yrs old|date=8 July 2011|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/fauja-singh-marathoner-poster-boy-100-yrs-old-117750|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=100-year-old Sikh marathoner's biography released in Britain|date=8 July 2011|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/100year-old-sikh-marathoners-biography-rel/814740|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref>

==Achievements==
;Running Career

*Marathons run: London (6), Toronto (2), New York (1)
*Marathon debut: London, 2000, aged 89
*London Flora Marathon 2000: 6:54
*London Flora Marathon 2001: 6:54
*London Flora Marathon 2002: 6:45
*Bupa Great North Run (Half Marathon) 2002: 2:39
*London Flora Marathon 2003: 6:02
*Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2003: '''5:40'''
*New York City Marathon 2003: 7:35
*London Flora Marathon 2004: 6:07
*Glasgow City Half Marathon 2004: 2:33
*Capital Radio Help a London Child 10,000 m 2004: 1:08
*Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon 2004: 2:29:59
*Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2011: 8:11:0
*London Marathon 2012 : 7:49:21
*Hong Kong Marathon (10 km) 2012: 1:34 (raised $25,800 for charity)<ref>{{cite news|first=Katerina|last=Nikolas|title=Oldest marathon runner 'Turbaned Torpedo' runs in HK marathon|date=6 February 2012|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/319104|work=Digital Journal|access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref>
*parkrun uk 2012 – Age graded record holder: 179.04% with a time of 38:34<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parkrun.org.uk/|title=home | parkrun UK|website=www.parkrun.org.uk}}</ref>
*Hong Kong Marathon (10 km) 2013: 1:32:28<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/item/204074-at-101-fauja-singh-completes-his-final-marathon?pfrom=home-otherstories |title=At 101, Fauja Singh completes his final marathon | Other Sports - More | NDTVSports.com |access-date=24 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226234019/http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/item/204074-at-101-fauja-singh-completes-his-final-marathon?pfrom=home-otherstories |archive-date=26 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Awards==
On 13 November 2003, Singh was awarded the [[Ellis Island Medal of Honor]] by the [[National Ethnic Coalition]], a US group that advocates ethnic pride and tolerance. William Fugazy, the chairman of the coalition, said Singh is a symbol of racial tolerance, and his running helps bridge the gap created by the [[11 September terrorist attacks]]. "He is the greatest inspiration," said Fugazy, and added that Singh was the first non-American to receive the honour.<ref>[http://articles.nydailynews.com/2003-11-14/news/18238551_1_sikh-religion-ellis-island-medal Osama Jeers Didn't Stop Sikh Marathon Man, 92, by Austin Fenner Daily News (New York), Friday, 14 November 2003]</ref> He was awarded the "Pride of India" title by a UK-based organisation for his achievements in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Centenarian Fauja Singh does it again|date=5 February 2012|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Centenarian-Fauja-Singh-does-it-again/articleshow/11766409.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref>

==Punjab elections 2012==
He attended an election rally at village Kukranwala under the Raja Sansi constituency (near Amritsar) for the [[People's Party of Punjab]] candidate, where he was reported to have extended his support for the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fauja Singh runs for PPP|date=24 January 2012|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fauja-singh-runs-for-ppp/903130|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> However, the party was criticized by ''Sikhs in the City'' for the "misuse of Fauja Singh for political purposes", and for having "abused the vulnerability of an old man for its own ends".<ref>{{cite news|title=100-year-old marathoner's family miffed with political party|date=25 January 2012|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/athletics/item/184553-100-year-old-marathoners-family-miffed-with-political-party|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=14 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129011923/http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/athletics/item/184553-100-year-old-marathoners-family-miffed-with-political-party|archive-date=29 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Chardikala Run 2012==
Fauja Singh was invited as a special guest for the 2nd Annual Chardikala Run in Malaysia. The run was given a theme '101 and running' as a mark of respect for Singh. He was given a warm crowd response and was also presented with The BrandLaureate Award on stage during the closing ceremony.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

Singh was given a warm response by the people of Malaysia. He was escorted to the Chardikala Charitable Fun Run venue, Astaka in [[Petaling Jaya]], by the Malaysian Bikers Group. Singh flagged off the start of the Marathon. Fauja Singh's attitude was praised especially because he had taken part in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on the same morning, yet was in full spirits meeting, greeting and being a major part of the successful CCFR 2012.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

==References==
{{More footnotes needed|date=March 2016}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-personalities/26263-fauja-singh-oldest-marathon-runner.html Passage on Fauja Singh, The Oldest Marathon Runner] (''Sikh Personalities'')
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/4631111.stm "Life begins at 90"] (''[[BBC Sport]]'')
*[http://www.sikhtimes.com/bios_041904a.html Biography] in ''[[The Sikh Times]]''
*[http://www.rediff.com/sports/2004/mar/23fauja.htm REDIFF article regarding ADIDAS deal]
*[http://www.sikhsinthecity.org Sikhs in the City Running Team]
*[http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264632 Roll Over Bannister], Article in ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook magazine]]''
*{{cite news | title = Fauja Singh Reflection Healthy Living | date = 4 February 2011 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAGcDfkJscI&feature=player_embedded | publisher = [[Sangat TV]] | access-date = 19 October 2011 | language = Punjabi | quote = Fauja Singh gives some tips on how to be healthy, happy and holy.}}
*{{cite news | title = Michael Mosley meets 101-year-old Fauja Singh | date = 6 August 2012 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wzn5j | quote = [[BBC Horizon]]'s [[Michael J. Mosley|Michael Mosley]] interviews Fauja Singh as he becomes the world record holder for oldest marathon runner.}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Fauja}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British supercentenarians]]
[[Category:Men supercentenarians]]
[[Category:British male long-distance runners]]
[[Category:Indian male long-distance runners]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Indian male marathon runners]]
[[Category:World record holders in masters athletics]]
[[Category:Longevity claims]]
[[Category:People from Jalandhar]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Sikhs]]
[[Category:Indian masters athletes]]
[[Category:Recipients of the British Empire Medal]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Athletes from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Fauja Singh - Revision history

TimeStampBot at 15:38, 3 October 2023