Fauja Singh: Man arrested over hit-and-run death of world’s ‘oldest’ marathon runner

July 16, 2025

A guy has been taken into custody by Indian police in relation to the hit-and-run death of a 114-year-old British runner.

While traveling to his natal town of Beas Pind in Punjab, India, Fauja Singh, who is thought to be the oldest person in the world to finish a marathon, was struck by a car on Monday as he crossed a road.

He was rushed to the hospital after suffering serious head injuries, where he eventually passed away.

A 26-year-old man has been detained by police looking into the incident for reportedly striking him with a car, according to local media outlet NDTV.

The accused, who the outlet identified as Amritpal Singh Dhillon, claimed to have heard about Mr. Singh’s passing via the news.

Image:
Singh ran over the Millennium Bridge to celebrate his 93rd birthday.

Singh, who has been a resident of Ilford in east London since 1992, has inspired many sportsmen by completing marathons after turning 100.

Given that he was born with weak, skinny legs and was unable to walk until he was five years old, his athletic accomplishments were all the more impressive.

In 2000, Singh ran his first marathon in London, finishing six hours and fifty-four minutes ahead of other runners of the same age by a margin of 58 minutes.

He retired at the age of 101 after participating in the London 2012 Olympics as a torchbearer.