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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been prohibited for three years after the runner confessed to doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a failed test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that test - such as her world record performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a four-year ban but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - including communications from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

Although the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the detection threshold were also identified in a sample taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner confessed to the doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on April 19 - when the athlete accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, awards, championships, appearance and prize money since March 14 lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"While unfortunate for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be commended for collectively funding doping prevention able to revealing doping violations performed by top competitors in their events."