Fauja Singh
Description
266. Fauja Singh, stated to have born on 1st April 1911 in Jalandhar, is presently a British Sikh Marathon
runner. When his wife died in 1992 and then his eldest daughter and one of his sons died during the next
three years, he was highly depressed. He had started living during that period with one of his sons living in
Illford, England. It was here in the year 2000 that he took running seriously and ended up in International
Marathon events. Singh shot to fame when, at the age of 93, he completed the 26.2 mile distance in 6 hours
and 54 minutes. This knocked 58 minutes off the previous world best for anyone in the 90-plus age bracket.
Singh is 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) tall and weighs 52 kg (115 lb). He attributes his physical fitness and longevity to abstaining from smoking and alcohol and to following a simple vegetarian diet. 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 parathas, pakoras, 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.
His achievements in running at this advanced age have attracted the world attention. He has been
honoured by various organizations and persons including Queen Elizabeth (on his 100th birthday). He
is invited to various countries to inaugurate such like racing events. For example, he went to Malaysia for
second Annual Chardi Kla Run in 2012. Recently, he visited Toronto (2016) when Marathon race was
organized. His biography, titled ‘Turbaned Tornado’, was formally released in the Attlee Room of Britain’s
House of Lords on 7 July 2011 by 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. It is worth noting that whatever money S. Fauja Singh receives as prizes or rewards he spends it on
charities. Many Marathons have been run by him to raise funds for charity (e.g. Hong Kong Marathon
2011 wherein 25800 dollars were raised). He has inspired a large number of people including old people
for keeping themselves fit by running. A group consisting of three other Sikh octogenarians who ran in the
‘Golden Oldies Team’ at Edinbraugh Marathon relay in 2009 now constitute a group known as ‘Sikhs in the
City’. These Sikhs with Fauja Singh as the eldest in the group based in East London are running Marathons
across the world with interface group and raising money for charitable causes. It is really a matter of pride
for all of us.