Kenyan World Marathon record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, is set to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom during the institution’s upcoming graduation ceremony set for Friday, December 13.
In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the university’s Senate Council informed Kipchoge of its intention to recognise his exemplary achievements in sports during the winter graduation.
“It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Council and Senate of the University of Exeter would like to recognize your outstanding achievements in the field of sports by conferring upon you an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
“The University normally grants a small number of honorary degrees each year and we would be delighted if you were able to honour us by accepting this award,” read a letter from Professor Sir Steve Smith, the University’s Vice-Chancellor.
The letter further indicated recognition for Kipchoge as an icon in the world, having won several international competitions.
“We would like to suggest that we confer the degree upon you at one of our 2019 ceremonies which will be held in Exeter,” added the statement.
On their website, the university heaped praise on Kipchoge, a clear indication that the world champion continued to attract accolades from all over the world.
“Kipchoge is famous for being the only human on the planet to run a 42-kilometre marathon under two hours at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge staged in Vienna, Austria on October 12.
“The famed athlete managed to beat the clock, crossing the finish line in 1:59:40,” read a statement on the University's website.
The university also heaped praise on him for breaking the official world marathon record after he crossed the finish line at the Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:01:39, breaking the previous record set by his Kenyan counterpart Dennis Kimetto at the same marathon in 2014.
On Friday, December 6, Kipchoge was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate in Science by the Laikipia University, recognising his contribution to the field of sports.
The institution indicated that the award was in recognition of Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 Challenge that saw him become the first athlete to run a marathon in less than a time of 2 hours (1:59:40).
“It’s the first time we are awarding a top sports personality an honorary degree. As a university, our niche areas are sports science and management. We want to become a centre of excellence in sport and arts as we move into the new curriculum. That’s why we settled on Eliud,” remarked Prof Wanjiku Chiuri, the deputy Vice-Chancellor as quoted on The Standard.
