By Lilian Ntege
Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan marathon star who stunned the athletics world with a groundbreaking world record in 2024, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that the 30-year-old long-distance runner tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic commonly used as a masking agent.
The sample was collected on 14 March 2025, and laboratory results revealed an alarming 3,800 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) of HCTZ far surpassing the World Anti-Doping Agency’s minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL.
Chepngetich, who made history by becoming the first woman to run a marathon under 2:10 at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, had broken Ethiopian Tigst Assefa’s record by nearly two minutes, clocking a stunning 2:09:56.
Her performance was hailed as a generational milestone in women’s distance running, sparking celebrations across Kenya and the global athletics community.
However, the doping revelation has cast a shadow over her achievements. Initially, the AIU did not impose a suspension upon notifying Chepngetich of the adverse result on 16 April but just three days later, on 19 April, she voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension as the investigation unfolded.
“In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a notice of charge and imposed its own provisional suspension,” said Brett Clothier, head of the AIU.
Hydrochlorothiazide is always banned under the WADA code due to its ability to dilute urine and potentially hide the presence of other prohibited substances.
Although it is used medically to treat conditions such as hypertension and fluid retention, its misuse in sport is considered a serious anti-doping violation.
The suspension has ignited debate within the athletics world, particularly as Kenya continues to face heightened scrutiny over doping violations among its elite distance runners.
Chepngetich’s case will now proceed to a disciplinary tribunal, where her defence and the circumstances surrounding the positive test will be examined, if found guilty, she could face a ban of up to two years, and her world record may also come under review.
As the athletics world awaits further developments, the suspension serves as a stark reminder of the sport’s ongoing battle to maintain integrity at the highest level.