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

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a concealing drug - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which occurred before that test - such as her world record performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was lowered to 36 months because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring messages from as early as 2022.

"This matter regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's phone to determine if any other violations have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample collected from the runner two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a later interview on 11 July, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's medication - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner confessed to the anti-doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, honors, titles, appearance and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the process is supposed to work."

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