Laikipia University to bestow Eliud Kipchoge with honorary degree

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge is set to be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Science at the 7th graduation ceremony of Laikipia University slated for December 6.

In a statement, the institution said the award is in recognition of Kipchoge’s heroics at the INEOS challenge where he ran 1:59:40- becoming the first man to cover a marathon race in under two hours.

“The University senate in making this award noted that Eliud has made tremendous contributions in the realm of sports. The senate specifically recognizes his most recent achievement of becoming the first human in history to run a sub two-hour marathon…” read a statement from the University’s website.

The award-winning athlete is fresh from being crowned World Male Athlete of the Year for the second year running at the World Athletics awards gala held last weekend in Monaco, France.

Kipchoge was also awarded with the highest civilian state commendation – Elder of the Order of Golden Heart (EGH) by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 24.

The Olympic champion also successfully defended his London marathon title in April to capture his fourth title at the English capital in a course record of 2:02:37.