Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned diuretic. The case puts her achievements and athletic future under scrutiny, drawing global attention to anti-doping enforcement in elite African sport.
Nairobi, July 18, 2025 —
Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya’s celebrated marathon champion and holder of the women’s marathon world record, is facing a provisional suspension after testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a banned diuretic and masking agent. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed the suspension on July 17, 2025, following the detection of the substance in a sample collected on March 14, 2025.
BREAKING NEWS: Marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for Hydrochlorothiazide in a test on March 14th.
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) July 17, 2025
Hydrochlorothiazide, can be used to mask the presence of banned drugs. The AIU… pic.twitter.com/MSxaEQxFSL
According to the AIU, Chepngetich’s urine sample contained approximately 3,800 nanograms per milliliter of HCTZ—nearly 200 times the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) permissible threshold of 20 ng/mL. HCTZ is prohibited at all times under WADA regulations due to its potential use in concealing the presence of performance-enhancing drugs.
Chepngetich voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension on April 19, 2025, as the investigation proceeded. The announcement of the case comes just months after she withdrew from the 2025 London Marathon, citing mental and physical unpreparedness.
At the time of her positive test, Chepngetich was at the zenith of her career. She stunned the athletics world by setting a world record time of 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, becoming the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier in a record-eligible race officially.
That historic performance is now under review and could be annulled pending the outcome of the AIU tribunal.
In the event the tribunal confirms a doping violation, Chepngetich may face a ban of up to two years, alongside the forfeiture of titles, records, and prize money.
As of press time, Chepngetich and her representatives have not issued a public response. Organizers of the Chicago Marathon and other relevant bodies have indicated they will wait for the tribunal’s final decision before taking any action on race results or associated accolades.
The case has sent ripples through the world of long-distance running. Chepngetich, widely considered one of the leading figures in African athletics, had become a symbol of Kenyan endurance dominance.
Her suspension comes as a serious blow to the sport’s integrity and could trigger broader discussions about anti-doping compliance, athlete pressure, and the role of oversight in high-stakes competition.
“This is a pivotal moment for the future of marathon running and clean sport,” said a senior sports analyst. “The final ruling could have lasting consequences not only for Chepngetich’s legacy but for the perception of African excellence in athletics.”
As the athletics world awaits the tribunal’s decision, the spotlight remains firmly on Chepngetich—a star athlete whose record-breaking run may soon be overshadowed by scandal.
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