- The temporary suspension of Ruth Chepng'etich for doping violations caused both surprise and the reaction of 'I told you so' in equal parts.
- Chepng'etich made history by breaking the world record in the women's marathon last year during the Chicago event, which took place under remarkable conditions.
- We examine the accusations against the 2019 world champion and explore why her world record could remain intact despite the doping claims.
The report arrived like a destructive force, similar to when supporters discovered Lionel Messi was departing Barcelona.
Ruth Chepng'etich, who amazed the global community last year during the Chicago event, has been temporarily suspended due to the use of a banned substance.
Stunning. Hard to believe. Yet another tragic turn for a nation deeply entangled in doping scandals.
Chepng'etich not only established a new world record in the women's marathon during her run in Chicago — she made history.
She made history as the first female to complete a marathon in under two hours and ten minutes, reducing the previous record—held by Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa—by nearly two minutes.
A wave of criticism and doubt ensued, to such an extent that the issue was brought up during a session in the national assembly.
But given the statement from the Athletics Integrity Unit, Chepng'etich's critics had the ideal "I told you so" opportunity.
Why Ruth Chepng'etich's world record remains secure
However, as we explore further, not so quickly...
Don't mistake it, her reputation is permanently damaged unless she is exonerated, but her world record could still remain once everything is resolved.
To grasp this, let's first examine the sequence of events that brought us to this point.
Timeline of occurrences in Ruth Chepng'etich's anti-doping case
Following the world record she set on October 13, 2024 (and the subsequent worries), World Athletics officially recognized her time of 2:09.56 as the new world record on December 11, 2024.
On December 31, she completed a 10K race in Madrid, Spain, with a time of 31:32, securing second place. On March 9 this year, she achieved a time of 1:06:20 in the Lisbon half marathon.
On March 14, a few days following the event in Portugal, she received a positive result for Hydrochlorothiazide, which was communicated to the AIU on April 3.
On April 16, Chepng'etich was notified by AIU of her positive test result and conducted an in-person interview in Kenya.
Two days later, she pulled out of the 2025 London Marathon, scheduled for April 27, where she was set to lead the race along with Assefa and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan.
On April 19, Chepng'etich told AIU that she had chosen the voluntary temporary suspension to enable AIU to conduct its investigation. However, it should be noted that her violation, the use of masking agents, does not require a mandatory suspension upon notification.
The AIU concluded its inquiries and placed Chepng'etich under temporary suspension on July 17, as stated through their official channels. She has the right to have her case reviewed by a disciplinary tribunal.
Let's return to the world record now.
She scheduled it for October 13, 2024, but the positive result was received on March 14, 2025, following the Lisbon race.
World Athletics' procedure for confirming world records
Nevertheless, and more significantly, her world record set in Chicago was approved by World Athletics. The approval procedure conducted by the regulatory organization is extremely detailed, as outlined in Part 3 of World Athletics' Competition Rules.
Among other details, this is what the rulebook states regarding the ratification procedure for athletes who set world records in connection with doping,
An athlete who sets or ties a world record is required to undergo a doping test right after the event concludes. Doping tests for confirming a world record must follow the Anti-Doping Rules, and the sample(s) should be sent for analysis to a WADA-approved laboratory as quickly as possible following collection.
Only the President of World Athletics and the Chief Executive Officer have the authority to approve world records, and in situations where there is uncertainty, the matter will be escalated to the Council.
In short, World Athletics followed all required procedures and was satisfied with Chepng'etich's new record, leading to its approval.
She was also a nominee for the World Athletics' Female Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year 2024, ultimately losing to Hassan.
What is Ruth Chepng'etich being charged with?
There is a but, though...
A thorough examination of the substance that Chepng'etich is alleged to have used reveals new opportunities.
Hydrochlorothiazide, also known as HCTZ, is categorized as a S5 Prohibited Substance within the diuretics and masking agents section of the anti-doping regulations.
It is clinically employed to address fluid retention and high blood pressure, yet in the context of doping, it may be utilized to conceal (or obscure) the detection of other substances in urine.
The permissible level of Hydrochlorothiazide in an athlete's urine sample is 20 ng/mL, with any amount under this threshold classified as negative and acceptable.
However, Chepng'etich's sample—get this—revealed 3,800 ng/mL, which is 190 times above the permissible level.
How long would Ruth Chepng'etich face a ban if proven guilty?
As previously stated, Chepng'etich retains the right for her case to be reviewed. The AIU has not established a schedule for when the case will be considered and resolved to enable her to resume competing.
The highest penalty the 2019 world champion could face is a two-year suspension.
From the viewpoint of Kenya, this represents a significant setback for a nation that remains in Category A of the World Anti-Doping Agency's classification system.
Shoes Chepng'etich utilized to set a world record
In an earlier report, we examined the shoes Ruth Chepng'etich wore to set the world record.
Chepng'etich not only surpassed the world record but completely demolished it as she claimed her third Chicago Marathon victory with flair.
Those were the identical shoes Kelvin Kiptum wore when he set the world record at this very course a year prior.
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