Ruth Chepngetich is provisionally suspended from upcoming competition as the Athletics Integrity Unit investigates a suspicious drug test from her only race of the season in March. The world record holder in the women’s marathon had a high level of Hydrochlorothiaze in her urine.
She will not be allowed to run until the initial inquiry and subsequent judicial matters are complete.
Chepngetich burst onto the scene in track and field at the Chicago Marathon in 2024. The Kenyan runner went 2:09:56 to set the world record by more than two full minutes. She is the first woman to break the 2:11 and 2:10 barriers over 26.2 miles. Her time of 1:04:02 is also the sixth-best all-time in the half marathon.
Skeptics questioned Chepngetich’s dominance as soon as she crossed the finish line in Chicago but there was no definitive indication of suspicious activity. Until now!
What is Hydrochlorothiazide?
A test dating back to March 14, 2025 showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL of Hydrochlorothiazide in Chepngetich’s urine. Any test that comes back with a number lower than 20 ng/mL is considered negative so this was not even close.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic often used to mask the presence of banned drugs. HCTZ can also be used to treat fluid retention and hypertension.
It is currently unclear as to the intended purpose for Chepngetich. However, she immediately accepted any potential punishment as soon as the test first popped.
AIU is dropping the hammer.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) informed Ruth Chepngetich of the questionable result on April 16. It also conducted an in-person interview about what happened.
She withdrew from the full marathon in London just two days later and cited a lack of physical and mental conditioning. As it would turn out, she was already suspended by her own volunteer.
“When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code,” said AIU Head Brett Clothier. “Chepng’etich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification, however, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU’s investigation was ongoing. In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charged and imposed its own provisional suspension.”
The AIU will not comment further on this matter until it has been concluded. Chepngetich has the right for her case to be heard before a Disciplinary Tribunal.
The world record is tainted.
Depending on the outcome of this ongoing inquiry, the 30-year-old Kenyan could receive a lifetime ban from the sport. It will come down to the findings of the AIU and the hearing at the Tribunal.
Regardless of what happens, Ruth Chepngetich will always be haunted by her suspicious drug test. As will her record.
The Hydrochlorothiazide issue does not apply to her unbelievable run at the Chicago Marathon but it absolutely raises questions about the astonishing result. People who wondered whether she was doping then are surely going to run with that narrative now. Never again will Chepngetich’s world record not carry with it an asterisk.