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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been prohibited for three years after the runner acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in the seventh month 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 test - such as her world record performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had requested a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining proof from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's device to determine if any other violations have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

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

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had used her housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after the runner confessed to the doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, honors, titles, appearance and prize money from 14 March lost.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be commended for jointly supporting doping prevention capable of revealing doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."