Chepgetic broke the marathon world record in Chicago last October and was provisionally suspended for doping in July.
Kenya’s women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepgetich was suspended for three years on Thursday after admitting an anti-doping rule violation, but her time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds will go down in the record books as being set before she tested positive.
Chepgetich, who set the record at last October’s Chicago Games, was provisionally suspended by the track and field integrity unit (AIU) in July after hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a urine sample taken from him on March 14.
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The sample showed an HCTZ concentration of 3,800ng/mL, well above the World Anti-Doping Agency’s minimum reporting limit of 20ng/mL.
Chepgetich, 31, initially denied any wrongdoing and could not explain the positive results despite an AIU investigation that included analysis of his medication, supplements and phone data.
Chepgetic changes explanation of positive test
However, on July 31, two weeks after Chepgetich was suspended, she changed her explanation, saying that she had unknowingly taken her housekeeper’s medicine, which contained HCTZ, when she was sick.
“She stated that she had forgotten to disclose this incident to AIU investigators,” the AIU said in a statement.
HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, the AIU added, adding that diuretics can be abused to mask the presence of other prohibited substances in the urine.
The AIU initially imposed a four-year sanction, saying Chepgetich’s actions were reckless and indirectly intentional rather than accidental.
However, due to Chepgetic’s early hospitalization, he received a one-year exemption, which resulted in a three-year suspension on September 10.
“Although the case regarding HCTZ’s positive test has been resolved, the AIU will investigate suspicious material recovered from Mr. Chepgetich’s cell phone to determine whether any other violations occurred,” AIU Director Brett Clothier said in a statement.
“Meanwhile, all of Chepgetich’s achievements and records prior to March 14, 2025 are exemplary.”
Reuters has contacted Chepgetich’s representatives for comment.
High-profile doping case
Chepgetich withdrew from the London Marathon in April, saying he was “not mentally or physically fit to do his best.” However, she had actually opted for voluntary provisional suspension at the time.
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile doping cases in the marathon world, particularly in Kenya, which is world-famous for its middle- and long-distance runners.
In November 2022, a strong middle and long-distance running team avoided suspensions even though more athletes were suspended due to positive tests.
Athletics Kenya has announced that the country’s government has committed $5 million a year for five years to combat doping in athletics.
In February 2024, former Tokyo Marathon winner Sara Chepchirchir of Kenya was found to have violated anti-doping regulations for the second time due to an adverse test result for her testosterone and was suspended for eight years.
Earlier this year, Kenyan marathon runner Brimin Kipkorir, who won the 2024 Sydney Marathon with a new course record, was also provisionally suspended by the AIU after testing positive for a banned substance.
