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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the Kenyan admitted to doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic often utilized as a concealing drug - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that test - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a 48-month suspension but the runner's penalty was reduced to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the detection threshold were also identified in a sample collected from the runner 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete altered her story on 31 July, stating that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner admitted the anti-doping rule violations within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's results, awards, championships, participation and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts able to uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."