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Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan acknowledged 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 March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which occurred before that test - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a 48-month suspension but the runner's punishment was lowered to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"The case concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's device 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 initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

While HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, contamination had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had used her domestic worker's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner admitted the doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, honors, titles, participation and earnings since March 14 lost.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting doping prevention capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."