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Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been suspended for 36 months after the Kenyan admitted to doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a failed test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

The athlete's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - including her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to three years because she admitted to the violations.

However, the integrity unit will keep examining evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any other violations have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a test collected from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on 11 July, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner 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 results, honors, championships, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their events."