Women's marathon record-holder banned 3 years

Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich, holder of the world record in the women's marathon, received a three-year ban Thursday after admitting to doping violations.

The Athletics Integrity Unit had issued a provisional suspension in July for a failed drug test on March 14, when she tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, or HCTZ.

Chepngetich, 31, shattered the world record with a time of 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, topping the old mark by nearly two minutes.

AIU head Brett Clothier said in a statement Thursday that "all Chepngetich's achievements and records pre-dating the 14 March 2025 sample stand."

Chepngetich initially denied any wrongdoing before claiming she had fallen ill and inadvertently took a housemaid's medication without checking its contents.

Because she later admitted the violation and accepted her sanction, a four-year suspension was reduced to three -- effective from the original date of the charge on March 14.

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work," AIU chairperson David Howman said. "The level of testing and investigative activity carried out in this case was possible because of the funding provided to the World Athletics Label Road Race Programme by many races such as the Chicago Marathon, athlete representatives, athletes and four contributing shoe brands, adidas, ASICS, On and Nike."

Chepngetich is a three-time winner of the Chicago Marathon (also 2021 and 2022). She won a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

--Field Level Media