Chepng'etich, who Ran 2:09:56 to Break Marathon World Record at 2024 Chicago Marathon, Tests Positive for Hydrochlorothiazide

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Thursday that marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has been provisionally suspended for a positive drug test.

Earlier this year on March 14, Chepng’etich tested positive for the use of Hydrochlorothiazide after a sample was collected from a urine test.

An estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/ml of the drug was discovered being used in a report to AIU on April 3 this year.

According to AIU:

"HCTZ is a diuretic, used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension. Under the WADA Code, it is a class S5 Prohibited Substance (Diuretics and Masking Agents), prohibited at all times and a Specified Substance. Diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other Prohibited Substances1.

Under WADA’s technical requirements for laboratories, HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, meaning findings below this concentration are reported as negative. A Specified Substance has a standard sanction of two (2) years’ ineligibility (subject to possible reduction or increase in accordance with WADA Code provisions)."

Chepng’etich ran 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, shattering the previous world record of 2:11:53 to become the first woman to run under 2:10 in a marathon distance.

AIU Head Brett Clothier revealed Chepng'etich was notified and interviewed on April 16 by the AIU in Kenya about the suspension.

“When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code," Clothier said in a released statement.

"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."