Marathon Record Holder Ruth Chepngetich Receives 36-month Ban

Female long-distance world record-holder the athlete has been banned for three years after the Kenyan admitted to anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that test - such as her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had sought a four-year suspension but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring messages dating back to 2022.

"This matter concerning the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample collected from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

The athlete changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had used her housemaid's medication - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, championships, participation and prize money since March 14 lost.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention able to revealing doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."