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Women's marathon global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for 36 months after the Kenyan admitted to doping infractions.

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

Chepngetich's achievements which occurred before that test - such as her world record time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a four-year suspension but the runner's penalty was reduced to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring messages from as early as the year 2022.

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

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the detection threshold were also identified in a sample collected from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, claiming that she had taken her domestic worker's medication - marked as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' doping regulations, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after Chepngetich confessed to the doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, titles, participation and earnings since March 14 forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering substance abuses committed by elite athletes in their events."