World marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich was provisionally suspended from competing after detection of a banned substance in a drugs test.
Hydro-chloro-thia-zide (HCTZ) – chemical formula C7H8ClN3O4S2 – also known as water pill, is a diuretic and used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) categorizes the substance as s5 for diuretics and masking agents, which is prohibited at all times.
Chepng’etich had smashed the women’s marathon world record in 2024 at Chicago, becoming the first woman to go under 2:10 hours. But the Kenyan athlete failed a drug test she completed earlier this year. An investigation had been ongoing and the Athletics Integrity Unit now enforced the suspension. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a urine sample collected from the Kenyan athlete on March 14, 2025.
Chepng’etich’s Chicago Marathon was completed in 2:09.56. The 30-year-old was informed of the test result in April. Head of the AIU, Brett Clothier said: “When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code.
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 Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.” The Kenyan can seek recourse asking her case to be heard before a disciplinary tribunal.
Winner of the world marathon title in Doha in 2019, beating Bahrain’s Rose Chelimo and Namibia’s Helalia Johannes, Chepng’etich had won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022.
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Marathon running has been hit with a spate of high-profile doping cases in recent years, particularly from Kenya which is world renowned for its middle and long-distance runners.
In April 2023, Athletics Kenya said its government pledged $5 million per year for five years to fight doping in athletics.
– With Reuters inputs
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