Eliud Kipchoge, Chepkoech awarded by StarTimes

Eliud Kipchoge wins the SJAK Startimes sports personality award for the month of September [Courtesy]

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been named September Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) StarTimes Sports Personality of the month.

Kipchoge got the award after breaking the World Record in the Berlin Marathon last month – 2 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds.

He shattered the record set in 2014 by counterpart Dennis Kimetto – 2:02:57.

Kipchoge is now the fifteenth person to receive the award courtesy of StarTimes.

He admitted that he didn’t expect the award but will come in handy as a motivation tool as he puts emphasis on future races.

"It is exactly one month since I broke the record October 16, it is a good timing on your part,” said a jubilated Kipchoge.

“Eliud has been such an outstanding athlete who displayed resilience and grit to achieve during the month of September. It’s our hope that other sportsmen and women in this and other disciplines will continue to distinguish themselves to attract the eye of the voting panel as our partnership with SJAK cuts across all sports disciplines apart from football,” said Japheth Akhulia, the StarTimes Kenya Marketing Director.

For his efforts, Kipchoge was awarded a 43-inch StarTimes Digital TV Set. He was also given Sh100,000 prize money and a winner’s trophy.

Beatrice Chepkoech, the 3000m steeplechase world-record holder also bagged the August award. Chepkoech won the 3000m steeplechase medal at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria.  She also shined in the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium, running a resounding 8 minutes 55 seconds.

World 3000m steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech [Courtesy]

"Eliud and Chepkoech have been such outstanding athletes who have displayed resilience and grit to shine in their respective events,” added Akhulia.