World record-holding marathon runner, Ruth Chepngetich, faces a suspension due to a doping violation
Ruth Chepngetich, the current women's marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended following a positive test for a banned diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), detected in a urine sample collected on March 14, 2025.
On October 13, 2024, Chepngetich shattered the women's marathon world record in Chicago, running 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds, breaking the previous record by nearly two minutes. This historic achievement saw Chepngetich become the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier in the marathon.
The investigation into Chepngetich's positive test began on April 3, 2025, when the result was reported to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). On April 16, Chepngetich was notified and interviewed by the AIU, fully cooperating with the investigation. Although provisional suspension was not mandatory under anti-doping regulations for this substance, Chepngetich voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension on April 19.
The AIU continued its investigation and, on July 17, issued a formal Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension, allowing her case to be heard by a Disciplinary Tribunal. The outcome of the tribunal will determine if any sanctions, including disqualification or suspension, will affect her record or career.
HCTZ is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency unless authorized by a therapeutic use exemption. It is commonly prescribed for fluid retention and high blood pressure but can also be misused to mask other banned substances.
Chepngetich has not made any public statements since the suspension was announced. In the lead-up to her record-breaking performance in Chicago, she won the half marathon in Buenos Aires on August 25, 2024, with a time of 1h05m58s. However, she withdrew from the London Marathon in April, stating that she was "not in the right mental or physical state" to compete at her best.
Upon setting her world record in Chicago, Chepngetich dedicated her performance to fellow athlete Kiptum. Despite the current suspension, she remains proud of her achievement, stating that she is proud of herself for achieving her dream of breaking the world record.
The AIU announced this in a statement on Thursday, stating that Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, said that Chepngetich was provisionally suspended at the time of notification but opted for a voluntary provisional suspension on April 19. The world record for the women's marathon was previously held by Tigist Assefa, who set it in Berlin in September 2023 with a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds.
The investigation into Chepngetich's case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the final outcome will be regarding her standing, including her marathon world record established in late 2024.
Chepngetich's provisional suspension, following a positive test for a banned diuretic, has put her marathon world record in question. Despite voluntarily accepting the provisional suspension on April 19, she remains proud of her historic achievement of becoming the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier in the marathon, set on October 13, 2024, in Chicago.
