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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the runner confessed to anti-doping infractions.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a concealing drug - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which occurred before that sample - including her global best performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in 2024 - will remain valid.

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

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - including messages dating back to 2022.

"The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's phone to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to run a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had used her housemaid's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's doping rules, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner confessed to the doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's results, honors, titles, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

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

"The road-running industry should be praised for jointly supporting doping prevention capable of revealing substance abuses performed by elite athletes in their races."