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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the runner acknowledged doping rule violations.

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

The sports governing body had requested a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"The case regarding the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on the runner's device to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

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

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence obtained from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had used her housemaid's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' doping rules, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

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

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when the athlete accepted a temporary ban - with the competitor's results, honors, championships, appearance and prize money since 14 March lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their races."