Kenyan marathon star and women’s world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has been banned from athletics for three years after admitting to breaching anti-doping rules, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
According to the AIU statement, Chepng’etich, 31, tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) — a prohibited substance classified as a diuretic and masking agent. The drug is commonly used to hide traces of other performance-enhancing substances.
The positive test came from a urine sample collected on March 14, 2025, during an out-of-competition test. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of the banned substance, prompting an immediate investigation by the AIU.
In its official report, the AIU said: “Women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepng’etich has been banned for three years after admitting to anti-doping rule violations regarding the presence and use of Hydrochlorothiazide.”
Following her admission, Chepng’etich received a reduction from the standard four-year ban to three years for cooperating with investigators. However, all her results from March 14, 2025, onwards have been disqualified, including any titles, medals, and prize money earned during that period.
Chepng’etich rose to global fame after winning the 2019 World Championships marathon in Doha and setting the women’s world marathon record at the 2021 Istanbul Marathon, where she clocked an impressive 2:14:04.
She also won several major marathons, including Chicago and Nagoya, and was regarded as one of Kenya’s most promising distance runners.
The latest development adds her name to the growing list of top Kenyan athletes sanctioned for doping, a trend that has drawn international concern from the World Athletics and Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The AIU reiterated its commitment to keeping the sport clean, emphasizing that the fight against doping remains a global priority.
“No athlete, regardless of their status or success, is above the rules. The integrity of athletics must be protected,” the statement read.
Chepng’etich’s ban will run until March 2028, effectively sidelining her from upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 World Championships and potentially the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Her management team and Athletics Kenya have yet to issue official statements regarding the ruling.
The case underscores the growing scrutiny of doping in Kenyan athletics, with several high-profile runners facing similar bans in recent years.
