Women’s World Marathon Record Holder Ruth Chepng’etich Handed Three-Year Ban Over Doping Violation
World marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has been suspended from athletics for three years after admitting to violating anti-doping rules. The decision was confirmed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in an official statement released on Thursday, October 23.
According to the AIU, the 31-year-old Kenyan marathon star tested positive for the banned substance Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic often used to hide the presence of other prohibited drugs. The positive sample was taken on March 14, and subsequent investigations revealed traces of HCTZ in her urine.
“The Women’s World Marathon Record Holder, Ruth Chepng’etich, has been banned for three years after admitting to Anti-Doping Rule Violations involving the use of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ),” read the statement from the AIU.
The unit explained that while HCTZ is sometimes prescribed for medical reasons, it becomes illegal when used beyond certain limits set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The substance is commonly misused by athletes to mask performance-enhancing drugs during testing.
Chepng’etich was first questioned by AIU investigators in April 2025 but was unable to give a convincing explanation for why the banned substance appeared in her system.
The investigators then collected her personal items, including supplements, medication, and her mobile phone, for a deeper probe. Although all other samples tested negative, the inquiry didn’t end there.
In July 2025, AIU investigators uncovered new evidence from her phone that raised suspicions the doping might have been intentional. Despite this, Chepng’etich continued to insist she was innocent and denied any wrongdoing.
However, her defense began to fall apart when she later changed her story, claiming she had unknowingly taken her house manager’s medication two days before the test and failed to check if it contained banned ingredients.
The AIU dismissed her explanation, saying it was inconsistent and reckless. Under anti-doping regulations, her actions were categorized as “indirect intent” to use a prohibited substance, which would normally attract a four-year suspension.
Nonetheless, since Chepng’etich eventually admitted to the violation and agreed to accept her punishment without further contest, her suspension was reduced from four years to three.
Chepng’etich, who has been one of Kenya’s most celebrated marathoners, rose to global fame after winning the Chicago Marathon three times in a row.
She also made headlines by breaking the women’s world marathon record with an impressive time of 2:11:53, surpassing the previous record set by Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Her suspension marks a major setback in her career and adds to the growing list of top Kenyan athletes who have faced doping-related sanctions in recent years.
The ban will serve as a reminder of the strict stance international bodies continue to take against doping in athletics, as the sport struggles to maintain integrity and fairness on the global stage.
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