Marathon Record Holder Chepngetich Handed 36-month Ban

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

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

The athlete's accomplishments which pre-date that test - such as her global best time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

However, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

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

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in samples, the athlete's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

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

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the aforementioned suspicious evidence obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

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

"No one is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses performed by elite athletes in their events."