Marathon world record-holder Chepngetich suspended for positive doping test

MONACO (AP/WGN) — Women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended for a positive doping test on Thursday.

Track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit said Chepngetich tested positive for a banned diuretic and masking agent in March and “opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU’s investigation was ongoing.”

The Kenyan runner set the world record by almost two minutes at the Chicago Marathon last October in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds. It was her third win in Chicago.

She also won the marathon at the 2019 world championships in Qatar, where the women’s race started at midnight to avoid extreme daytime heat.

The AIU gave no timetable for a disciplinary case for the 30-year-old runner.

Chepngetich was interviewed in person in Kenya in April and “complied with requests regarding our investigation,” AIU official Brett Clothier said in a statement.

The substance Chepngetich tested positive for, hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ, can be used to disguise the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

“We await the completion of the process”

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon issued a statement Thursday afternoon in response to Chepngetich’s suspension:

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is aware of the announcement by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) regarding Ruth Chepngetich. We will await the completion of the process by the AIU and any appeal by Chepngetich before providing further comment.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has and continues to be an advocate for strict anti-doping measures including drug testing procedures and protocols both in and out of competition. As a World Athletics Platinum Label event, every professional athlete who competes in the Chicago Marathon’s professional athlete field is subject to the rules, regulations and anti-doping processes set forth by World Athletics, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the United States Anti-Doping Agency.”
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s statement on Ruth Chepngetich