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

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that test - such as her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

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

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including messages from as early as 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the suspicious material found on the runner's phone to determine 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 under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

While HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces 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 July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepngetich admitted the anti-doping breaches inside the specified 20-day period.

The three-year ban started on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, honors, championships, participation and earnings since March 14 forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

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

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of revealing substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."