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Female long-distance world record-holder the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the runner admitted to anti-doping rule violations.

The record holder was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic used commonly as a concealing drug - on 14 March.

Chepngetich'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 sports governing body had sought a 48-month suspension but the runner's penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

However, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including communications dating back to the year 2022.

"This matter regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich'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, the marathoner, the first woman to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's test showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. In the meantime, contamination had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, claiming that she had used her housemaid's medication - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after Chepngetich admitted the anti-doping rule violations within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, honors, titles, participation and prize money from 14 March lost.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts able to revealing doping violations performed by elite athletes in their events."