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Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a concealing drug - on March 14.

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

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring messages from as early as the year 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any other violations have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

While the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's medication - labeled as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner admitted the doping breaches within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension started on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's results, honors, titles, appearance and earnings from March 14 lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although disappointing for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts able to uncovering substance abuses performed by elite athletes in their races."