Police have detained a 26-year-old man, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, following a tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of Fauja Singh, believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner at 114 years old. The accident occurred in Punjab, India when Singh was out for his routine afternoon walk. Medical reports confirm that he suffered severe injuries and passed away shortly after arrival at a hospital.
Witnesses recounted that Singh was crossing the road when he was struck by Dhillon's speeding SUV, which authorities have since recovered. The police stated that the driver failed to take immediate action to transport Singh to the hospital, potentially impacting his survival.
Fauja Singh, of British-Indian descent, is renowned for his remarkable marathon accomplishments, including being the first centenarian to complete a full marathon in 2011 in Toronto. He had participated in nine marathons from 2000 to 2013, earning a place as a global figure in athletics. However, the Guinness World Records did not officially recognize his title due to the lack of verifiable age documentation.
Born on April 1, 1911, Singh's achievements gained attention when he carried the Olympic torch at the 2012 London Olympics. Despite his immense talent and contributions to running, Singh's lack of a formal birth certificate hindered him from officially being termed the oldest marathon runner.
Despite a challenging upbringing marked by physical weakness and personal tragedies, including the loss of his wife and son, Singh found solace and purpose in running. His journey from a farmer in India to an internationally-acclaimed athlete was propelled by a chance meeting with local runners in the UK, leading to a partnership with his coach Harmander Singh.
The running community and his former charity organization, Sikhs In The City, will honor Singh's legacy through upcoming events, celebrating his inspiring life. The world mourns the loss of a remarkable athlete whose story resonates beyond the track.
