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Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

The record holder was temporarily banned in July following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that test - including her world record performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in October 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a four-year suspension but the runner's punishment was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been intentional" - including communications dating back to 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any other violations have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic under the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had taken her housemaid's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner confessed to the anti-doping breaches inside the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, awards, titles, participation and prize money from 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"While disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering substance abuses performed by elite athletes in their events."