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Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been suspended for 36 months after the runner confessed to doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on 14 March.

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 sports governing body had sought a 48-month suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - including communications from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on the runner's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an explanation for the positive test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in samples, Chepngetich's test showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic below the detection threshold were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned suspicious evidence obtained from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on July 31, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' doping regulations, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich admitted the doping breaches inside the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on 19 April - when the athlete accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, honors, championships, participation and prize money since March 14 lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."