The fastest marathoner in history now has another well-deserved award in his trophy cabinet.

Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan runner who set a jaw-dropping world record of 2:01:39 at the Berlin Marathon last month, has been named this year’s Person of the Year by the United Nations in Kenya.

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“It takes extreme effort and many years to reduce one’s time, even by five seconds, when running,” Kipchoge said at the award ceremony, according to a U.N. press release. “Lasting achievements are based on small increments in doing the right thing.”

Kipchoge received the award at a ceremony on Wednesday at the U.N. headquarters in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. The U.N. cited the 33-year-old’s efforts in spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS, as well as his athletic accomplishments, as reasons for choosing him.

“It is his perseverance and steadfast resolve to put in the hard work needed that moved the U.N. in Kenya to make him the 16th recipient of the award,” read the press release.

Kipchoge may soon add yet another title. On Tuesday, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) listed him among ten nominees for IAAF Male World Athlete of the Year. In addition to his world record-setting Berlin race, Kipchoge will run the London Marathon this spring.

Berlin Marathon 2018

In attendance were several senior U.N. and Kenyan officials, including Kenyan foreign secretary Monica Juma and U.N. Kenya coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee. The award ceremony coincided with United Nations Day, the international holiday that recognizes the U.N.’s founding in 1945.

The U.N. in Kenya has named a Person of the Year since 2002. Past recipients of the award include last year’s winner, pioneering physician Umra Omar, and current Kenyan first lady Margaret Kenyatta for her Fast vs Slow Marathon: What Happens to Your Body Super Shoe Trends.

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Jacob Meschke
Contributing Writer

Jacob joined Runner’s World and Bicycling Eliud Kipchoge Wins Person of the Year Award From United Nations Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University in 2018, where he studied journalism. His work focuses mainly on news and service pieces for both audiences, with the occasional foray into How to Add Speed Workouts to Marathon Training and product reviews. to reduce deaths in childbirth Best Hydration Packs Super Shoe Trends.