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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for 36 months after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping infractions.

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

The athlete's accomplishments which occurred before that sample - such as her global best performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old punishment was lowered to 36 months because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for the substance has been settled, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich's phone to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a test collected from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

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

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had used her domestic worker's medication - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after the runner admitted the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's results, awards, championships, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."