Long-distance running Record Holder Ruth Chepngetich Receives Three-Year Ban

Women's marathon global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for 36 months after the runner confessed to anti-doping infractions.

The record holder was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

The athlete's achievements which pre-date that test - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had requested a four-year ban but the runner's punishment was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been intentional" - including communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter regarding the positive test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on the runner's phone to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in April by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the positive test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

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

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had taken her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner admitted the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, awards, titles, participation and prize money from 14 March lost.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"Although unfortunate 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 uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."