Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan woman who holds the marathon world record, has been banned for three years after admitting to anti-doping rule violations involving a positive test for the banned diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced the suspension, which was reduced from four years because the athlete admitted the violation. The ban is backdated to April 19.
Crucially, her world record time of 2:09:56 set in Chicago in October 2024, and all other achievements prior to March 14, 2025, will still stand. However, all results, awards, and prize money since that date are forfeited.
The AIU’s investigation is not entirely over. The unit confirmed it will continue to look into evidence from Chepngetich’s phone that suggests her positive test “may have been intentional,” with messages dating back to 2022.
AIU head Brett Clothier stated that while the HCTZ case is resolved, the investigation into other potential violations based on the phone material will continue. AIU Chair David Howman stressed the point that “nobody is above the rules.”
