Marathon Legend Eliud Kipchoge Receives Prestigious Honorary Degree
- Eliud Kipchoge, Kenyan marathon champion and two-times Olympic gold medalist, has been honored with a distinguished Honorary Degree of Humane Letters by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
The accolade was bestowed upon him during the university’s 41st graduation ceremony on Friday, December 1.
Kipchoge, a powerhouse in the world of marathon, boasts of an impressive athletic journey, securing victories as a five-time Berlin marathon champion, four-time London marathon champion, and a one-time Chicago marathon champion.
Widely known as the greatest marathoner of all time, Kipchoge’s outstanding contributions extend beyond the realms of sports.
Kipchoge was awarded the Doctor of Human Letters (L.H.D), a prestigious recognition reserved for individuals who have made significant societal contributions, irrespective of traditional academic pursuits.
The accolade underscores Kipchoge’s unwavering commitment to both athletic excellence and societal betterment.
His remarkable journey includes becoming a world champion in the 5000 meters race in 2003, clinching a bronze in 2004 in Athens, Greece, and a silver in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.
Notably, Kipchoge made history in 2016 by setting a new record in the London Marathon, securing a gold medal in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games later that same year.
In a groundbreaking achievement in 2019, he made history by completing a marathon in an astonishing 1:59:50 in Vienna, marking the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon.
Acknowledging his athletic prowess, Kipchoge was honored as the Athlete of the Year by World Athletics in both 2018 and 2019.
To cement his legacy, the Eliud Kipchoge Track was unveiled at the Nike European Headquarters in the Netherlands on October 24.
Nike went ahead to pay tribute to his achievements with the unveiling of a statue at their headquarters in Beaverton.
Eliud Kipchoge’s journey stands as a testament to excellence, dedication, and a profound impact on both the world of sports and society at large.
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