The arrest of a driver following the hit-and-run incident underscores the challenges faced by aging athletes and communities around road safety.
**Hit-and-Run Incident Claims Life of Fauja Singh, Age 114, Renowned Marathoner**
**Hit-and-Run Incident Claims Life of Fauja Singh, Age 114, Renowned Marathoner**
An Olympic torchbearer and record-holding runner, Singh's tragic death is raising questions about road safety and accountability.
Police in Punjab, India, have arrested a man for his role in the hit-and-run death of Fauja Singh, who was recognized as the world's oldest marathon runner at age 114. The alleged perpetrator, identified as Amritpal Singh Dhillon, is accused of driving a speeding SUV that fatally struck Singh while he was out for his customary afternoon walk in his birth village of Beas Pind, near Jalandhar city. Witnesses reported that Singh was crossing the road when the accident occurred, leaving him critically injured. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The police have since located the white SUV associated with the incident, which has stirred public outcry and calls for accountability. Reports indicate that Singh's life may have been saved if the driver had immediately transported him to receive medical assistance.
Fauja Singh was celebrated globally for his extraordinary achievements in marathon running, including setting records in various age categories after taking up the sport at the age of 89. He completed nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013 and was notably the first person over 100 years old to finish a full marathon, accomplishing this feat in Toronto in 2011. Additionally, he had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch at the 2012 London Olympics.
Despite his remarkable legacy, Guinness World Records has not officially recognized Singh as the oldest marathon runner due to the lack of verified birth documentation from 1911. While his British passport lists his birth date as April 1, 1911, and he received a congratulatory letter from the late Queen Elizabeth II for his centenary, he faced challenges in official record validation, as local birth certificates were not issued in India during his early years.
Ascending from a background filled with adversity, Singh's past includes overcoming significant personal loss, including the deaths of his wife and younger son, which ultimately led him to pursue running. His journey into the sport began at a local gurdwara in Ilford, UK, where he connected with a running group that included his eventual coach, Harmander Singh.
Singh's remarkable story captured widespread attention and was promoted in advertising campaigns such as Adidas's 2004 "Impossible Is Nothing," which also showcased iconic figures like Muhammad Ali. Following his passing, his running club and charity, Sikhs In The City, announced that future events will honor his life and contributions to the world of athletics.
