Marathon star tells graduates: ‘No human is limited’

Speaking as he received an honorary degree, Mr Kipchoge said hard work and self-discipline “will always pay off in life”.

He also paid tribute to University of Exeter research, which played a part in his successful bid to run the first ever sub-two-hour marathon.

“My message is that no human is limited,” he said.

“I believe that we should not think in limits. Not for ourselves, not for those around us and not for the challenges in life ahead of us.

“By freeing our minds, by not thinking in restrictions, we can be free to achieve greatness together.

“Be it in sports, be it in school, be it in your families and be it in your workplace, no matter what career path you are about to embark on.”

He added: “Success does not come overnight.

“It takes years and years so stay patient, believe in yourself, and trust that hard work, consistency and self-discipline will always pay off in life.

“As an athlete myself, I wish upon you a healthy life.

“I want to say that through sports one can find so much joy, balance and create many friendships.”

He urged graduates to make sport part of their lives, saying it brings benefits “to our mind, to our body and to our hearts”, adding: “I always say that a running world is a peaceful world.”

He praised the work of Professor Andrew Jones, of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter.

Mr Kipchoge said Professor Jones’s knowledge had a “great impact” in his success.

He added: “Education, knowledge and science have been a crucially important part in my marathon preparation and successes, and I am proud to say that some of that stemmed from the University of Exeter through Professor Andy Jones.”