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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for 36 months after the Kenyan confessed to anti-doping rule violations.

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

The athlete's achievements which pre-date that test - including her global best performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a four-year suspension but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - including messages dating back to the year 2022.

"The case concerning 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 other violations have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

While HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample collected from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

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

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner admitted the doping breaches within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, titles, participation and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"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 praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations performed by top competitors in their events."