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Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for 36 months after the Kenyan admitted to doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's achievements which occurred before that sample - including her global best time of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had sought a four-year ban but the runner's punishment was reduced to 36 months because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring messages dating back to the year 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's device to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the failed test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the detection threshold were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, contamination had also been disproven by the authority.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on July 31, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's pills - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was granted after the runner admitted the doping rule violations within the specified 20-day period.

The three-year ban started on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, honors, championships, participation and prize money since 14 March lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"While unfortunate for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."