Kenyan marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after admitting to anti-doping rule violations following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a banned diuretic and masking agent.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) found her March 2025 sample contained HCTZ levels nearly 200 times above the reporting threshold, and earlier traces were also detected in February. Although her pre-March achievements, including her 2:09:56 world record in Chicago, will stand, the AIU is continuing to investigate suspicious messages from her phone suggesting possible intent.
Chepngetich claimed she mistakenly took her housemaid’s medication, but the AIU dismissed this as implausible. Her ban runs from 19 April 2025, and all results since 14 March are annulled.
