The Athletics Integrity Unit has suspended Ruth Chepngetich after the Kenyan marathoner tested positive for a banned substance. The 30-year-old runner holds the women’s marathon world record.
Chepngetich’s urine sample from March 14 contained hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a prohibited diuretic. The substance level measured 3,800 nanograms per millilitre, far above the minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL.
“The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended marathon
world record-holder, Ruth Chepng’etich, for the Presence and Use of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) relating to a sample collected from her on 14 March this year,” AIU said in a statement.
The runner chose a voluntary suspension on April 19 after being notified about the positive test on April 16. She was not immediately suspended when first informed of the results.
HCTZ is banned at all times under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. Doctors normally prescribe the drug to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention. Athletes sometimes use it to hide other performance-enhancing drugs.
Chepngetich made history at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024. Her winning time of 2:09:56 broke the previous world record by nearly two minutes. Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa had set the earlier record at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
The Chicago victory marked Chepngetich’s third win at that race. She also claimed the marathon gold medal at the 2019 World Championships in Qatar. That race began at midnight to avoid dangerous daytime heat.
AIU head Brett Clothier confirmed that Chepngetich cooperated with investigators. She was interviewed in person in Kenya during April and responded to all requests from officials.
“When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code. Chepng’etich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification, however, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU’s investigation was ongoing,” explained Clothier.
The Athletics Integrity Unit has not announced when Chepngetich’s disciplinary case will be resolved. The organization issued a Notice of Charge along with the provisional suspension.
Chepngetich’s record-breaking performance in Chicago stunned the running world. Her time improvement represented one of the largest single drops in marathon history.
The suspension prevents Chepngetich from competing in any sanctioned track and field events. She cannot participate in races while the investigation continues and her case moves through the disciplinary process.