(In Kenya) Ruth Chepngetich Suspended After Positive Doping Test for Banned Substance

Kenyan long-distance runner Ruth Chepngetich, the current women's marathon world record-holder, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced the suspension on Thursday, stating that Chepngetich tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that can serve as a masking agent to hide the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

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The AIU revealed that the positive sample was collected in March 2025. Following the revelation, Chepngetich voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension while the AIU continues its investigation. Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, confirmed that Chepngetich was interviewed in person in April in Kenya and fully cooperated with the investigation process.

Chepngetich made headlines last year after she broke the women’s marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon, completing the race in an astonishing 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. This marked her third victory in Chicago and shaved nearly two minutes off the previous world record. She also claimed gold at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, where the women’s marathon was held at midnight due to the region’s extreme heat.

The AIU has not yet provided a timeline for Chepngetich’s disciplinary proceedings. The suspension raises concerns within the athletics community, especially given Chepngetich’s high-profile status and recent record-breaking performances. Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide are commonly banned in sports not for their performance-enhancing properties directly, but because they can obscure the presence of other prohibited substances in an athlete’s system.

The suspension of one of Kenya’s top athletes adds to growing scrutiny on doping within the country’s athletics program. As investigations proceed, the future of Chepngetich’s career remains uncertain.