Authorities have detained Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the 26-year-old driver accused of fatally striking 114-year-old Fauja Singh with his speeding SUV while the running icon was out for his afternoon walk in Punjab, India. The renowned marathon runner sustained severe injuries from the collision on Monday and succumbed shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Fauja Singh, a symbol of resilience and inspiration, began running at 89 and became the oldest to complete a full marathon, famously finishing the Toronto Marathon in 2011. Despite his remarkable milestones, he could not officially hold the title of the oldest marathon runner in the Guinness World Records due to the absence of a birth certificate to validate his age. His British passport supports a birth date of April 1, 1911, along with a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday.
The accident occurred near Singh's birthplace of Beas Pind, and the authorities have since recovered the white SUV connected to the incident. Reports indicate that Singh might have survived if the driver had promptly taken him to the hospital.
An emotional remembrance of Singh's extraordinary journey was shared by his running club and charity, Sikhs In The City, who have vowed to honor his legacy through events in Ilford, London—where he resided since 1992. Having faced numerous hardships throughout his life, including the loss of loved ones, Singh found solace in running after moving to the UK in the 1990s.
Singh's inspirational story captured the world's attention when he appeared in Adidas's "Impossible is Nothing" campaign alongside legendary figures like Muhammad Ali. His legacy as a pioneering runner continues to inspire many, demonstrating that age is just a number and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements.
