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Female long-distance global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the Kenyan confessed to anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a concealing drug - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that sample - including her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a 48-month ban but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she confessed to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's device to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had used her domestic worker's pills - marked as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's doping rules, such "carelessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping breaches inside the specified 20-day period.

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, awards, titles, appearance and earnings from March 14 lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."