World Marathon Record Holder Suspended for Doping Violation

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned diuretic, casting doubt on her 2024 world record marathon win as formal doping charges proceed.

Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepngetich, hailed for her record-breaking performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a failed doping test. The 30-year-old long-distance runner tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, raising serious questions over the legitimacy of her recent achievements.

According to the AIU, a sample collected from Chepngetich on 14 March 2025 showed an extraordinary concentration of the prohibited substance — 3,800 nanograms per millilitre — far above the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) reporting threshold of 20 ng/mL. Hydrochlorothiazide is classified as a masking agent often used to conceal the presence of performance-enhancing drugs.

Chepngetich initially opted for a voluntary provisional suspension in April while investigations were ongoing. However, the AIU has now imposed a formal provisional ban and issued a notice of charge, advancing its probe into the matter.

The news casts a shadow over her historic 2:09:56 finish at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, where she stunned the athletics world by breaking Ethiopian Tigst Assefa’s previous world record by nearly two minutes. Her remarkable performance had drawn widespread acclaim and elevated her status among the sport’s elite.

AIU head Brett Clothier stated that the organisation had continued its inquiry over the past few months, leading to the current formal action. “Today, we issued a notice of charge and imposed our own provisional suspension,” he said in a statement released on Thursday.

Chepngetich’s case now heads into a formal adjudication process, where she will have the opportunity to respond to the charges and provide any relevant evidence. If found guilty, she could face a lengthy ban, and her titles and records, including her Chicago Marathon win, may be stripped.

This latest development is a major blow to Kenyan athletics, which has long faced scrutiny over doping concerns despite being home to some of the world’s most celebrated runners. Anti-doping agencies and global sports bodies are expected to closely monitor the case as it unfolds.