Beas (Jalandhar), 20 July: The last rites of veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh were performed with full state honours on Saturday at the cremation ground in his native village of Beas in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony to pay their final respects.
Fauja Singh’s son, Harvinder Singh, lit the funeral pyre in accordance with his father’s wishes. “He always wanted his last rites to be performed in the village where he was born. We are grateful that his final journey was fulfilled as he had hoped,” a family member said.
Before the cremation, Singh’s body was kept in a glass casket at his home, with a framed photograph placed beside it. A solemn procession followed, carrying the casket to the cremation ground, where a large crowd gathered to bid farewell to the man who had become a global icon of resilience and determination.
The 114-year-old athlete, celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died earlier this week after being struck by an unidentified vehicle near his home in Beas village, close to Adampur. According to his family, Singh had stepped out for a walk around 3.30 pm when the vehicle hit him on the national highway and sped away. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that day.
Fauja Singh began running at the age of 89, following the tragic loss of his wife and son in an accident. What started as a means to cope with grief and loneliness evolved into a remarkable athletic journey. Between 2000 and 2013, Singh participated in 18 marathons across the globe, beginning with the London Marathon in 2000. He completed his final races in Toronto (2011), London (2012), and Hong Kong (2013), after which he formally retired from competitive running.
Chief Minister Mann described Singh as a “true son of Punjab” who inspired millions through his discipline and spirit. “Fauja Singh ji showed us that age is never a barrier to greatness. His life will continue to motivate generations,” he said.
Singh’s extraordinary story has been documented in books and films, and his commitment to fitness and positivity remained unwavering until his final days.
