It marked the third edition of the annual event, organised by The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and held ahead of tomorrow's Athens Marathon in the Greek capital.

Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic medallist and 2003 world champion over 5,000 metres on the track, was recognised after a superb year as he continued his transition to the 26.2 mile-distance. 

The Kenyan, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Thursday (November 5), won the London Marathon in April in a time of 2 hours 04min 42sec before a second victory in a personal best and world leading time of 2:04:00 in September's Berlin Marathon.  

He was chosen by the AIMS membership, consisting of more than 380 organisers of running events.

Because the award process considered the calendar year beginning last October, his victory at last year's Chicago Marathon in 2:04:11, was also considered.

“This is a really important day for me which will remain in my mind forever," said Kipchoge.

"This is the first time I’ve received such an award in my career.

“I should like to thank everyone who has helped me in the past 15 years - my coach Patrick Sang but also plenty of others.

“Next year I want to win the gold medal in the marathon at the Olympic Games in Rio. Olympic gold is one medal I don’t have.

 “I hope that one day I will also be the world record holder.”

She also retrospectively won last October's Chicago Marathon after initial Kenyan winner Rita Jeptoo failed a drugs test. 

The 26-year-old, who briefly competed for Azerbaijan in 2009 before switching back to her native Ethiopia soon after, also ran a world class 2:19:52 to win January's Xiamen Marathon in China, the second fastest women’s time this year.

Dibaba also finished a narrow second in April's Boston Marathon in 2:24.59, just four seconds behind Kenyan winner, Caroline Rotich.

“It is incredibly special for me to receive this prestigious award,” said Dibaba.

“It makes it extra special that I have received it in the spiritual home of the marathon in Greece.

"I am well aware of the 2,500-year history of the marathon and I am delighted to feel a small part of it.”

Kipchoge and Dibaba have also been nominated for the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Athlete of the Year award in the road running category, although it was confirmed yesterday that the Gala Awards ceremony in Monte Carlo has been cancelled following the corruption allegations engulfing the body's former President, Lamine Diack.

Elsewhere, the Green Award for an event with the best environmental policy went to the Houston Marathon, while the Lala Marathon in Mexico was recognised for having the best programme of social responsibility.

Munich 1972 Olympic champion Frank Shorter received the lifetime achievement award.

Related stories
November 2015: Kipchoge and Mare Dibaba in the frame for IAAF Athlete of the Year prize
September 2015: Kipchoge overcomes footwear troubles to win Berlin Marathon in world leading time