Sikhs in the City (SITC) started as a small group of determined runners in 2009, led by the legendary Fauja Singh, then aged between 79 and 88. What began with a team relay in the Edinburgh Marathon has since transformed into a dynamic collective of marathoners from East London, running across the world, embracing interfaith participation, and raising funds for charity. The club became a registered charity in 2019, with a mission to foster racial and religious harmony through sport. While running remains its foundation, SITC encourages members to take part in any Olympic discipline. With members spanning nine different faiths — and some with no religious affiliation — it proudly stands as the most diverse running club in the world.
The club’s President and Chair, also Fauja Singh’s coach, has a remarkable running history himself, having completed nearly 200 marathons. His upcoming Sydney Marathon will mark that milestone, coinciding with his transition into receiving a state pension. He is also a member of the exclusive UK 100 Marathon Club, a distinction reserved for those who have completed 100 recognised marathons.
This August, SITC is bringing over 20 of its members—15 men and 8 women—to participate in the Sydney Marathon on 31 August, now officially recognised as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. The other six—Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo—have long held prestige, and SITC has been actively involved in helping Sydney broaden its diversity, both among runners and volunteers. With collective experience spanning over 40 countries, SITC runners have offered insights to make the event as inclusive as possible.
Since the introduction of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2006, runners completing all six races have been awarded the Six Star medal. Initially, only 4,000 runners had achieved this feat, but the number has since grown to 20,000. Back in 2019, the SITC Chair was informed that he had become the first Sikh to attain this medal, and upon completing the Sydney Marathon, he is set to become one of the first to earn the Seven Star accolade—joining a global club of just 800 runners. Fellow SITC member Baljinder Singh, who recently conquered the Tokyo Marathon, will claim his Six Star medal in Sydney. The club is keen to see more runners of Indian origin represented in this exclusive community.
SITC members arriving in Sydney from 22 August are not seeking financial assistance but are eager to inspire others to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle—a cause Fauja Singh has championed throughout his journey. In his honour, SITC is working to establish a clubhouse along the route where he was once trained. A few years ago, an interview with him highlighted this vision, and since then, local authorities have doubled the allocated land for the project—along with the costs. Undeterred, the club remains confident in securing the funds within a year, with a simple ask: 9,000 donors contributing $225 to celebrate not just Fauja Singh’s athletic milestones but his enduring impact on the global Indian community.
For those wishing to learn more or lend their support, a fundraising appeal can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fauja-singh-clubhouse-appeal.
The SITC Chair is open to conversations with key figures in Australia’s Indian community to build further engagement around the marathon and beyond. He can be contacted via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7958 94 6868, though with an 11-hour time difference, timing may need to be considered.
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