Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge was on Friday honoured with a Doctorate Degree in Science by Laikipia University which was celebrating its 17th graduation ceremony.

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Laikipia University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Kibet Rotich said the university's senate had recommended Kipchoge for the honourary award.

The recommendation for the award stemmed from Kipchoge's achievement in sports. 

Kipchoge hit the headlines on October 12, 2019, during the INEOS 159 challenge in Vienna, Austria when he became the first man on earth to finish a full marathon in less than 2 hours. His finish time was 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds.

“The University Senate recognised Kipchoge’s contributions in the field of sports. As an institution our niche areas are sports science and management,” Prof Rotich stated.

Kibet further revealed that Kipchoge will be part of a sports department that will be set up at the institution.

Kipchoge, on the other hand, expressed his appreciation to the university for the recognition.

“I am happy for the recognition by the university, it is a big recognition and it’s among the biggest recognition on my neck apart from my medals. It is not for me, it’s for the youths, it’s for our kids to know that no human is limited.," Kipchoge stated.

“I'm also happy that Laikipia University is recognising running and you know that running is the only profession that you can get freedom because in other professions you are a slave,” he added.