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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for 36 months after the runner acknowledged anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

The athlete's achievements which occurred before that test - such as her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

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

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been intentional" - including messages from as early as 2022.

"The case regarding the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her domestic worker's pills - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner admitted the doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, honors, titles, appearance and earnings since 14 March lost.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of uncovering substance abuses performed by top competitors in their races."