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Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the Kenyan confessed to anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

The athlete's accomplishments which pre-date that test - such as her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had requested a 48-month ban but the runner's punishment was lowered to three years because she confessed to the violations.

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

"The case concerning the positive test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on the runner's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also identified in a test collected from the runner two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, contamination had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had used her housemaid's medication - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

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

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's results, awards, championships, participation and prize money since March 14 lost.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts able to uncovering doping violations committed by elite athletes in their events."