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

The record holder was temporarily banned in July following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a concealing drug - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - including her world record time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had requested a four-year suspension but the runner's punishment was reduced to three years because she admitted to the violations.

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

"The case concerning the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

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

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

At a later interview 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.

The athlete changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had used her domestic worker's medication - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

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

The three-year ban commenced on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, awards, titles, appearance and earnings from March 14 lost.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

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

"Marathon organizers should be commended for jointly supporting doping prevention able to uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their races."