Kenyan Marathoner Banned For Five Years After Admitting Violation
The Athletics Integrity Unit has imposed a five-year suspension on Kenyan marathoner Albert Korir for doping, dealing another blow to the athletics community.
Korir’s fate was confirmed on Monday, March 30, by the AIU, which found him guilty of multiple doping infractions.
According to the AIU, the athlete admitted to using a prohibited substance, Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (CERA), in many out-of-competition tests.
“The AIU has banned Albert Korir (Kenya) for 5 years from 8 January 2026 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (CERA). DQ results from 3 October 2025,” a statement from AIU read.
CERA, or Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta, is a synthetic hormone that stimulates red blood cell synthesis.
🏃🏿♂️2021 New York Marathon champion Albert Korir from Kenya, has been banned for five years after admitting to doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said Monday. The 31-year-old tested positive for a synthetic form of erythropoietin (EPO) during out-of-competition testing in October… pic.twitter.com/YxYqRFQNdr
— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) March 30, 2026
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lists it as a prohibited substance because it improves endurance by increasing oxygen transport to muscles, providing athletes with an unfair edge.
Korir’s violation came to light after he provided three samples in October 2025. The samples were analysed at a WADA-accredited laboratory, which confirmed the presence of the prohibited substance.
Since the athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for CERA and there were no errors in testing procedures, it was classified as a doping violation.
On January 12, 2026, Korir admitted to the anti-doping violations and accepted the proposed sanctions, which allowed him to benefit from a one-year reduction in the otherwise six-year ban.
Following the ban, Korir has been disqualified from all his results from 3 October 2025 onwards.
The sanction includes the forfeiture of all medals, titles, points, prize money, and appearance fees earned during this period.
WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Korir may also file a cross-appeal if either body challenges the ruling, which highlights the ongoing oversight in enforcing clean sport.
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Before the ban, Korir enjoyed a remarkable professional career.
His most notable achievement came at the 2021 New York City Marathon, where he claimed his first Abbott World Marathon Major title with a time of 2:08:22, earning nearly Ksh 13 million (USD 100,000) in prize money.
Korir also excelled internationally, winning the Ottawa Marathon twice, in 2019 and again in May 2025.
He consistently performed at the top in New York, finishing on the podium five times, including a third-place finish in November 2025.
His personal best came at the 2023 New York City Marathon, where he ran an impressive 2:06:57, cementing his status as one of the world’s elite marathoners before the AIU ban.
Kenyan Marathoner Banned For Five Years After Admitting Violation
