Eliud Kipchoge receives 8M award in Spain
21st October 2023
Recipients of the award came from diverse sectors that ranged from arts, science, sports, literature to international cooperation.

- Kipchoge was one of the eight individuals to be awarded due to his prowess in athletics.
- The winners received a sculpture by Spanish artist Joan Miró and a whopping prize money of $53,000 (approximately Ksh 7,800,000).
- Others who were honored include popular Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, American actor Meryl Streep, biologists Peter Greenberg, Jeffrey Gordon, and Bonnie Bassler.
By Tony Kipkorir
Kenya’s marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge added
another piece of silverware to his already glittering trophy cabinet as he received
the Princess of Asturias Award on Friday, October 20 in a colorful ceremony
held in Oviedo, Spain.
The celebrated runner, who was recently in
Asia to inspire Chinese athletes, was one of the eight individuals to be
awarded due to his prowess in athletics that has superceded what was once thought
to be impossible.
Reacting after bagging the prestigious
award, the Double Olympic champion expressed his delight to getting feted as he
described how running as an act has become more than physical movement to him.
“Receiving the Princess of Asturias Award
tonight fulfills me with honor, as it’s an acknowledgement for something that
I’ve believed in thoroughly throughout my career.
To some, running is simply an act of physical movement. But ever since I started running as a young boy in Kapsabet, Kenya, I knew running meant something much greater than that.
Running
is not just physical movement. Running is a vehicle that has the power to unite
us,” his statement read in part.
The man who used to sell milk at a local
market domiciled near Kapsabet town also urged the universe to embrace running
as a mechanism to help push past any barriers that anyone may have.
“We can only achieve greatness if we fully believe that there is nothing holding us back. There are no limits, just what our mind tricks us to believe. So, I urge you to see the world this way.
To see the world without limits and to see all that is possible. A running
world is a happy world. A running world is a united world,” ended
Kipchoge.
The winners received a sculpture by Spanish
artist Joan Miró and a whopping prize money of $53,000 (approximately Ksh 7,800,000).
The eight winners came from diverse sectors
that ranged from arts, science, sports, literature to international cooperation
among others.
Others who were honored include popular
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, American actor Meryl Streep, biologists
Peter Greenberg, Jeffrey Gordon, and Bonnie Bassler.
Italian author Nuccio Ordine and French
historian Hélène Carrère d’Encausse, who both died in 2023 were represented by
loved ones.
Kenyans from all walks of life took time to
congratulate Kipchoge for yet another incredible milestone.
Dade Kiprono, a Facebook user thanked
Kipchoge for mentoring many people and uniting the world.
“Congratulations to you and your accomplishments.
You truly inspire those who are positive, ready and believe in uniting as one
through sport,” stated Kiprono.
Edward Mutua was delighted that the
Kaptagat based runner finally meet the Spanish princess.
“Shaking princess Leonor’s hands is more
than enough for me,” he commented.