Fauja Singh Dies At 114: The Marathon Legend Who Ran On A Simple Plant-Based Diet | Health and Fitness News

Last Updated:July 20, 2025, 12:33 IST

Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, passed away at 114. The runner always advocated the benefits of adopting vegetarian food.

Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathoner, died at the age of 114. (Image: X)

Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, passed away at 114 after a tragic accident in Jalandhar, Punjab, where he was hit by a vehicle. Despite his remarkable life, Singh’s secrets to longevity were humble: a simple vegetarian diet, regular exercise, a positive mindset, and a strong sense of purpose. He often highlighted the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, noting that vegetarians tend to outlive meat-eaters by six to ten years on average.

Fauja Singh’s Nutritious Vegetarian Diet

In a 2013 interview with Petaasia.com, Fauja Singh, affectionately known as ‘The Turbaned Tornado,’ shared his secrets to running marathons well into his 100s. Having completed nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013, including the London Marathon at 101, Singh attributed his remarkable endurance to a simple formula: a vegetarian diet and daily walks or jogs.

As he put it, “People call me ‘the Turbaned Tornado’ – I’m the oldest marathon runner in the world… I eat only vegetarian foods – I’m told that vegetarians tend to live an average of six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters do. But I also walk or jog every day. Age may bring wisdom, but if you want stamina, endurance, and a lifetime of good health, turn to nutritious vegetarian foods.”

Fauja’s unwavering resilience and dedication to fitness inspired countless people worldwide, earning him international acclaim. He proudly represented the global running community, participating in prestigious marathons across the globe, including iconic events in London, New York, Toronto, and Mumbai.

Sharing The Benefits Of Vegetarian Eating

Fauja Singh expressed his desire to inspire others to adopt a plant-based lifestyle, saying, “I hope to inspire others to eat healthful, plant-based meals. I can’t dictate what others eat, but I want to share the benefits of vegetarian eating with everyone who is willing to listen. I’ve been predominantly vegetarian my whole life. In the Sikh religion, we eat to live, not live to eat. In Punjab, the green belt of India where I’m originally from, most people eat what they grow – I attribute my longevity to simple Punjabi vegetarian foods, such as chapati, dal, sabji and saag.”

The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!view comments

Location :

Delhi, India, India

First Published:

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.



_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}