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Women's marathon global champion Ruth Chepngetich has been prohibited for 36 months after the runner admitted to anti-doping infractions.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that sample - such as her global best performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to three years because she admitted to the violations.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as the year 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the failed test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample taken from the runner two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after Chepngetich admitted the doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, titles, participation and prize money since 14 March lost.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting doping prevention able to uncovering substance abuses performed by top competitors in their races."