Ruth Chepngetich’s world record at the Chicago Marathon last October will stand but she will face a three-year ban after admitting to doping violations after testing positive for banned substances in March, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit.
In a detailed report released on Thursday, the AIU noted that Chepngetich, 31, gave a sample in March that contained 190 times the allowed amount for a diuretic and masking agent called hydrochlorothiazide.
After a thorough investigation, including variations in explantations given by Chepngetich along with evidence found on her mobile phone, she admitted the violations and accepted the ban.
“While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work,” AIU Chair David Howman said in a statement. “The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations committed by elite athletes in their events.”
When she was first interviews on on April 16, Chepngetich could not tell investigators why her sample triggered a positive test. The investigators then gathered substantial information, including detailing her medication and supplements along with the contents from her phone. The medication and supplements were also taken for analysis.
But on July 11, AIU officials told Chepngetich that evidence sourced from her phone was enough to arise suspicion and that it was likely her positive test was the result of her intentional acts. The medication and supplements tested negative for hydrochlorothiazide or any banned substances but Chepngetich continued to claim that not only was she unable to explain the positive test but never used a banned substance in her career.
She was later issued a provisional suspension on July 17.
However, on July 31 Chepngetich told AIU investigators that she remembered that she became sick two days before the test and took medication from her housekeeper and never checked to see if the medicine contained banned substances. Chepngetich said she forgot to mention the illness or medication to investigators but provided a photo showing the packaging that said the medication was hydrochlorothiazide.
The AIU refuted her explanation and lobbied for a standard two-year sanction for using hydrochlorothiazide to be upgraded to four years as a result of Chepngetich not only taking the substance but being guilty of “recklessness” even if the using the medication was “indirect intent.” On August 22, Chepngetich was given a notice of AIU motive to hand her a four-year ban.
The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepng’etich’s phone to determine if any other violations have occurred,” AIU head Brett Clothier said in a statement. “In the meantime, all Chepng’etich’s achievements and records pre-dating the 14 March 2025 sample stand.”
But Chepngetich accepting the ban within 20 days, before September 10, and received a one year reduction under the Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction provision which now mean she will serve just three years.
Meanwhile, because the positive test was collected in March 2025, her 2:09.56 world record from Chicago in October 2024 will remain and will continue to be a point of scrutiny.
Shortly after the record, Chepngetich was met with some criticism with the media over the validity of her achievement in Chicago, which led to Kenyan athletics official to quickly come to her defense.
