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Women's marathon world record-holder the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the runner acknowledged doping rule violations.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - such as her global best time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been intentional" - including messages dating back to the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the positive test.

Although HCTZ has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in samples, the athlete's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had taken her domestic worker'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 new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepngetich admitted the doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's results, honors, championships, participation and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

"Although disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."