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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the runner acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

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

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that test - such as her global best time of 2:09:56 in Chicago in October 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was lowered to three years because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including communications from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the detection threshold were also identified in a sample taken from the runner 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

The athlete altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her domestic worker's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

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

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, awards, titles, appearance and earnings from March 14 forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering substance abuses performed by elite athletes in their races."