Eliud Kipchoge awarded approximately Ksh7million after winning Princess of Asturias Award for sports for 2023

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge will be awarded a cash boon of € 50,000 (Ksh7,434,533.05) after bagging the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for sports for 2023.

The cash prize is one of eight prizes awarded for outstanding work in areas such as the arts, communication, scientific research, and literature. They are handed out annually by the foundation.

Taking to his Twitter page, the reigning Olympic champion expressed gratitude to the stakeholders involved for honouring him to take the coveted gong and revealed that it makes him feel motivated to do more.

He said: “It is an absolute honour to receive the Princess of Asturias Award. To be amongst a list of extraordinary laureates, all people from different walks of life. It motivates me in my goal to leave a legacy in this world through running.

Since a running world is a more peaceful world, a happier world and a healthier world. I would like to thank Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Asturias, and her parents, Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, to grant me this honour.”

“Kipchoge, 38, is considered a legend in world athletics and the best marathon runner of all time,” the foundation panel of judges said in the press release.

The foundation highlighted that he is known as “the philosopher” for his strategy and concentration in running. Kipchoge is a four-time London and Berlin Marathon and has only lost three marathons out of the 18 marathons he has competed in. 

His recent loss was during the 2023 Boston Marathon where he settled for sixth-place. He also finished eighth at the 2020 London Marathon and third at the 2013 Berlin Marathon.

Kipchoge is the only athlete in history who has run a marathon in less than two hours, although the timing of 1:59:40 set in Vienna in 2019 is not recognized officially. 

The prizes are among the most important in the Spanish-speaking world. The award ceremony is held each fall (September, October, or November) in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo.