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Women's marathon world record-holder the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the runner confessed to anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic often utilized as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which occurred before that sample - including her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had sought a four-year ban but the runner's penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining proof from the athlete's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring messages from as early as 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the suspicious material found on the runner's device to determine if any other violations have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also found in a test collected from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

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

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the doping breaches within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, awards, championships, participation and prize money since March 14 lost.

"No one is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of revealing substance abuses committed by top competitors in their races."