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Female long-distance world record-holder the athlete has been prohibited for three years after the runner acknowledged doping infractions.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

The athlete's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a four-year ban but the 31-year-old penalty was reduced to three years because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been deliberate" - including communications from as early as 2022.

"The case concerning the failed test for the substance has been settled, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an reason for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in samples, the athlete's test showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

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

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

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's medication - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's doping regulations, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when the athlete accepted a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, championships, participation and prize money from March 14 lost.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of revealing doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."