Ruth Chepnjitich: Marathon world record holder banned for three years

When interviewed by the AI ​​unit in April, Chepnjitich, the first woman to run a sub-2:10 marathon, was unable to provide an explanation for the positive test.

While the minimum reporting level for HCTZ is 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) in urine, Chepnjitich’s sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/ml.

Traces of HCTZ below the minimum reporting level were also identified in a sample collected from Chepngetich two weeks ago, on 28 February.

In a subsequent interview on 11 July, Chepnjitic was shown the above suspicious evidence obtained from her phone. Meanwhile, the International Integrity Unit also validated the contamination.

Chepnjitich changed her explanation on July 31, claiming that she had taken her maid’s medication — which was labeled as HCTZ — after she became ill two days before the positive test.

The International Integrity Unit had “serious reservations about the credibility of the new version of events” and, in the context of anti-doping rules in sport, such “recklessness” amounts to “indirect intent, for which a severe four-year penalty applies.”

The automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepnjitic admitted violating anti-doping rules within the required 20 days.

The three-year ban began on April 19 – when Chepnjitic accepted a voluntary temporary suspension – with the athlete’s results, trophies, titles, appearances and prize money forfeited since March 14.

David Homan, head of the International Integrity Unit, said the case underscores that “no one is above the rules.”

“Although those who put their trust in this athlete are disappointed, this is how the system is supposed to work,” Homan said.

“The road running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of detecting doping violations committed by elite athletes in their events.”