• Fauja Singh, known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” died in a hit-and-run accident at 114.
• Singh was struck while walking in his village in Punjab, leading to widespread sorrow.
• He began competitive running at 89 and became the first centenarian to complete a marathon.

Fauja Singh, the revered marathon runner nicknamed the "Turbaned Tornado," passed away at the age of 114 after being struck by a speeding vehicle in Beas Pind, Punjab. He was on a walk near his home when the tragic accident occurred. Singh was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that evening, prompting an outpouring of grief across social media and calls for tributes to his legacy as an inspirational athlete, according to Indiatimes and SCMP.

Singh, who moved to the UK in 1992, gained fame when he began running competitively at the age of 89, inspired by marathons he saw on television. He completed his first London Marathon in 2000 at nearly 89 years old, drawing attention for being one of the oldest marathon runners to compete. Throughout his remarkable career, he completed nine marathons before retiring in 2013, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.

Following his passing, police arrested Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the suspected driver involved in the hit-and-run incident, who later expressed shock upon realizing the identity of his victim after seeing news coverage. Dhillon is alleged to have fled the scene without offering assistance, which has raised questions regarding his culpability. He is facing charges of culpable homicide and reckless driving for his actions following the incident, as reported by Indiatimes and BBC.

Fauja Singh was a historic figure in athletics, widely recognized for running marathons into his centenarian years. He became the first person over the age of 100 to finish a marathon in Toronto in 2011. However, despite his achievements, Guinness World Records could not officially recognize him as the oldest marathon runner due to the absence of a birth certificate, leading to persistent discussions about his legacy and the barriers faced by older athletes, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Tributes continue to pour in from public figures and running communities, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised Singh's extraordinary spirit and contributions to promoting fitness in India. In memory of his legacy, Singh's former running club, Sikhs in the City, plans to honor him with events celebrating his life and achievements, as mentioned by sources like BBC and Dawn.