Kenyan World Record Marathoner Suspended For Testing Positive
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has temporarily suspended marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich after she tested positive for forbidden substances.
The AIU announced on Thursday, July 17, that samples collected on March 14 included hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
According to AIU Head Brett Clothier, Chepng’etich was later notified of the results and interrogated in person by the unit on April 16, during which she responded with investigation requests.
Clothier noted that three days following the interview, on April 19, Chepng’etich voluntarily requested a provisional suspension while her case was being investigated.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Ruth Chepng'etich (Kenya) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance (Hydrochlorothiazide). ⁰⁰Details here: https://t.co/lWC8sVtgCJ pic.twitter.com/PXh6pCGkh3
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) July 17, 2025
“A Notice of Charge has been issued against Chepng’etich regarding the detection of the Prohibited Substance – a diuretic – following an investigation into the Kenyan athlete’s positive test, which was reported to the AIU on 3 April this year, at an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL in urine,” the AIU stated.
“Presenting a brief chronology of this case, AIU Head Brett Clothier revealed Chepng’etich was ‘notified and interviewed in person by the AIU in Kenya on 16 April and complied with requests regarding our investigation’,” it added.
According to the AIU, the athlete is entitled to have her case heard by a disciplinary panel.
The punishment comes ten months after the 30-year-old set a world record by winning the Chicago Marathon in 2:09:57 in October.
We caught it on camera! Ruth Chepngetich becomes the first ever woman in history to run a marathon in under 2:10:00. She ran 2:09:56 (unofficial). #Chicagomarathon pic.twitter.com/i8mP9SH1HI
— Justin Lagat (@LagatJustin) October 13, 2024
Chepng’etich won the Chicago Marathon for the third time in a row, breaking the previous world record of 2:11:53 established by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
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“I feel so great. I am very proud of myself and I’ve done well for the victory and the world record,” Chepng’etich said after her win.
“This is my dream that has come true. I fight a lot thinking about the world record. I am very grateful,” she added.
The penalty came barely three months after AIU confirmed a two-year ban for Kenyan runner Purity Changwony.
STATEMENT ON THE UNWARRANTED SCRUTINY OF RUTH CHENGETICH'S CHICAGO MARATHON VICTORY
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) October 16, 2024
Once again, Athletics Kenya would like to congratulate Ruth Chepngetich for her remarkable achievement at the Chicago Marathon. pic.twitter.com/NUAoHRoqcr
Changwony tested positive for two prohibited substances: norandrosterone and triamcinolone acetonide.
Kenyan World Record Marathoner Suspended For Testing Positive
