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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the runner acknowledged anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

The athlete's achievements which occurred before that sample - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month suspension but the runner's penalty was reduced to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's phone which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring messages dating back to 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, contamination had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner confessed to the doping rule violations within the specified 20-day period.

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's results, awards, titles, appearance and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While unfortunate for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their events."