AI Generated Summary
- As runners lace up their shoes in East London and mourners gather in Punjab, the world will remember Fauja Singh not just as a marathoner, but as a beacon of humility, faith, and unyielding spirit.
- I told him to take off the jacket or he would look like he was running away from a crime scene.
- The world is preparing to bid farewell to Fauja Singh, the legendary centenarian marathoner whose inspiring life made him a global icon of endurance and humility.
The world is preparing to bid farewell to Fauja Singh, the legendary centenarian marathoner whose inspiring life made him a global icon of endurance and humility. His cremation will take place on Sunday at his native Beas village in Jalandhar, while across the seas, runners in East London will gather tomorrow morning to celebrate his extraordinary legacy.
In Ilford, where the British Sikh athlete spent more than two decades, a special tribute is being organized by the running club Sikhs In The City. His long-time coach and close friend, Harmander Singh, has invited local runners to complete 114 laps of Singh’s favorite 2 km training route — a symbolic gesture marking his 114 years of age. “Fauja Singh’s funeral will be held in India, but we want to celebrate him here too,” Harmander said in an emotional conversation from London.
A Remarkable Journey of Friendship and Faith
Fauja Singh often described himself as “just an ordinary man,” but his story was anything but ordinary. He credited much of his success to Harmander Singh, whom he affectionately called “a good soul who gave me direction.” Their friendship, which began on November 14, 1999, blossomed into a partnership that rewrote history in long-distance running.
Recalling their first meeting, Harmander laughed as he shared one of his favorite anecdotes: “Fauja came for training in a three-piece suit! I told him to take off the jacket or he would look like he was running away from a crime scene. He smiled, removed it, and that was the start of our journey together.”
The bond between the two men went beyond athletics. Harmander, who has been a guiding force for over 25 years, described Fauja Singh as “religious, simple and an icon of humanity.” For Fauja, running was more than a sport; it was a way to heal from personal tragedy. “He told me he wanted to run to distract himself from the grief of losing his son,” Harmander said. “That grief turned into a purpose, and the world witnessed his incredible journey.”
An Icon Who Remained Humble
Despite achieving international fame — including completing multiple marathons well past the age of 100 — Fauja Singh remained grounded. “He never accepted money, only gifts or things with sentimental value,” Harmander shared. “That was just who he was.”
To many, Fauja Singh symbolized resilience and hope. To Harmander, he was like family. “He reminded me of my father. Ask anyone to name a famous Sikh, and they will say Fauja Singh. That’s the kind of impact he had on people.”
As runners lace up their shoes in East London and mourners gather in Punjab, the world will remember Fauja Singh not just as a marathoner, but as a beacon of humility, faith, and unyielding spirit.
