Marathon Record Holder Chepngetich Handed 36-month Ban

Women's marathon global champion the athlete has been prohibited for 36 months after the runner admitted to doping infractions.

The record holder was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that sample - including her global best time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had sought a 48-month ban but the runner's punishment was lowered to three years because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "strong grounds that her positive test may have been intentional" - including communications dating back to 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, contamination had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had used her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year sanction is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after Chepngetich admitted the doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

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

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."