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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan admitted to anti-doping infractions.

The record holder was temporarily banned in July following a failed test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that test - including her world record performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

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

However, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - including communications from as early as the year 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on the runner's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the positive test.

Although HCTZ 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 minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, contamination had also been ruled out by the AIU.

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

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year sanction is applicable".

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

The three-year ban commenced on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, honors, championships, appearance and earnings from March 14 forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."