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Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that sample - including her world record performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month suspension but the runner's penalty was reduced to 36 months because she confessed to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - including messages dating back to the year 2022.

"The case concerning the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on the runner's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the detection threshold were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, stating that she had used her housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner admitted the doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban started on April 19 - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, honors, championships, appearance and earnings from 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by elite athletes in their races."