Marathon Champion Ruth Chepngetich Handed 36-month Suspension

Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been prohibited for 36 months after the runner admitted to anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance used commonly as a concealing drug - on 14 March.

The athlete's accomplishments which pre-date that test - including her global best performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had requested a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old penalty was reduced to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - including messages dating back to 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any other violations have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in April by the AIU, Chepngetich, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an explanation for the positive test.

Although the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in samples, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from the runner 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned suspicious evidence obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner confessed to the doping breaches inside the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, awards, championships, participation and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their races."