Ruth Chepngetich, the reigning women’s marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended following a failed drugs test, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Kenyan runner, who stunned the world with her record-breaking performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The substance, often used medically for fluid retention and high blood pressure, is prohibited at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code due to its common use as a masking agent.
According to the AIU, a urine sample collected from Chepngetich on 14 March 2025 revealed an HCTZ concentration of 3,800 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL)—a staggering figure compared to WADA’s minimum reporting threshold of 20 ng/mL.
Chepngetich had not been provisionally suspended immediately after the result was reported on 16 April. However, three days later, she voluntarily agreed to a provisional suspension while the AIU continued its investigation.
“In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension,” said AIU Head Brett Clothier in a statement. The Notice of Charge formally initiates a disciplinary process that could lead to a ban and the stripping of titles if the violation is confirmed.
Chepngetich made headlines in October 2024 when she shattered the women’s marathon world record in Chicago, clocking a historic 2:09:56. That time eclipsed the previous record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa at the Berlin Marathon in 2023, by nearly two full minutes.
The Chicago win had been viewed as a crowning moment in Chepngetich’s already illustrious career, which includes a gold medal at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. Her aggressive front-running style and ability to dominate even the most competitive fields earned her admiration around the world.
However, the recent developments cast a shadow over her achievements. The use of HCTZ in such high concentrations raises serious questions about potential performance-enhancing practices and athlete transparency.
The AIU has not disclosed whether additional substances were detected or whether further testing will be conducted. Under WADA rules, HCTZ is classified as a specified substance, meaning that if an athlete can prove its use was unintentional, the sanction may be reduced.
Chepngetich has not yet publicly responded to the suspension or the charge. If she contests the findings, the case will proceed to a hearing before the independent Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.
Kenya has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over the number of high-profile doping cases involving its distance runners. The country has been on WADA’s Category A watchlist of nations with high doping risk. In 2022, Kenyan authorities, in cooperation with World Athletics and the AIU, launched a major anti-doping initiative to combat the growing crisis.
Athletics Kenya, the country’s governing body for the sport, has yet to issue a formal statement on Chepngetich’s suspension. However, officials have consistently reiterated their commitment to clean sport and promised to support investigations into any breaches of anti-doping rules.
If found guilty, Chepngetich could face a suspension of up to four years, and her world record may be annulled, pending further adjudication.
As one of the most recognized faces in women’s distance running, Chepngetich’s suspension is a sobering development for athletics and a reminder of the ongoing challenges in the fight against doping.
