Faith in Motion
When Fauja Singh first laced up his running shoes at age 89, his primary goal was to outrun sorrow after the loss of his wife and son. But what began as personal therapy blossomed into international inspiration.
Known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” Singh completed nine full marathons over more than two decades, including a personal best of 5 hours 40 minutes at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon and an historic centenarian finish in Toronto in 2011 at 8 hours 11 minutes 06 seconds.
Born in rural Punjab in 1911, Singh was unable to walk unassisted until age five. As he has stepped into a global role as "the world's oldest marathon runner," Singh has proven that resilience grows stronger with each stride -- and that our greatest obstacles most often lie within our own self-imposed limitations.
Against a backdrop of dwindling records and aging bodies, Singh’s refusal to slow down spoke volumes. He carried the Olympic torch through London’s streets at age 101 in 2012, and he ran his final 10K in Hong Kong in 2013 -- each step a testament to renewed purpose.
“Running showed me kindness and brought me back to life by making me forget all my traumas and sorrows,” Singh said at age 102. Although Guinness World Records was not able to certify his age because he does not have a birth certificate, Singh still received personal congratulations from Queen Elizabeth on his 100th birthday, a royal nod to a life that transcended bureaucratic bounds.
This past Monday, Singh was walking near his native village of Beas in the Indian state of Punjab when he was fatally hit by an unknown vehicle. India’s Punjab police are reviewing CCTV footage as they seek justice for the 114-year-old man who taught millions that the finish line is both an end and a beginning. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Singh “an exceptional athlete with incredible determination,” a fitting tribute to one whose legacy will outpace any statistic.
Fauja Singh’s story challenges us to see life as a marathon rather than a sprint. No matter our age or circumstances, each day offers the chance to set a new pace, chase fresh horizons, and inspire others by our perseverance.
As Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” May we, like Singh, fix our eyes on the path ahead, trusting that every step -- even the final one -- can be filled with purpose and hope.