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Female long-distance world record-holder the athlete has been prohibited for 36 months after the runner admitted to anti-doping infractions.

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

The athlete's achievements which pre-date that test - including her global best time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will remain valid.

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

However, the integrity unit will keep examining evidence from the athlete's phone which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including messages from as early as the year 2022.

"The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been settled, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's phone to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

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

Although the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the detection threshold were also identified in a test taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the aforementioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, contamination had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

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

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's results, awards, championships, appearance and earnings from 14 March lost.

"No one is above the rules."

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

"Marathon organizers should be praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by elite athletes in their races."