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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been prohibited for 36 months after the runner admitted to doping rule violations.

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

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - such as her global best performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

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

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any other violations have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the first woman to run a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also found in a test collected from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the aforementioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

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

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

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

"Nobody is above the rules."

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

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their races."