Long-distance running Champion Ruth Chepngetich Receives 36-month Suspension

Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan admitted to doping infractions.

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

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

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month suspension but the runner's penalty was lowered to 36 months because she confessed to the violations.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's phone 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 failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the suspicious material found on the runner's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the failed test.

While HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's test showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the detection threshold were also identified in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof 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 housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner admitted the doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, awards, championships, appearance and earnings since March 14 forfeited.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

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

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to revealing substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."