Chepngetich Keeps Marathon Record After Doping Ban

Ruth Chepngetich's women’s marathon world record remains under scrutiny after the Kenyan runner was banned for a doping violation, while athletics officials say legal rules prevent removing the Chicago 2024 mark without evidence she doped at the time.

Chepngetich ran 2hr 9min 56sec in Chicago, breaking the previous women’s marathon record by 1min 57sec. Her result still stands because she passed a test after the race itself, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit.

NBC commentators compared the performance to a historic achievement during the race broadcast.

"Bring it on Neil Armstrong!" said one NBC commentator.

Another NBC commentator praised the performance during coverage.

"She has done things in this sport that we have not seen," said another NBC commentator.

A third NBC commentator reacted to the result during the broadcast.

"Unbelievable!" said the NBC commentator.

Five months after the record run, Chepngetich failed a doping test and later received a three-year ban. The Athletics Integrity Unit said her sample contained hydrochlorothiazide, a banned substance.

Chepngetich previously responded to questions about doubts surrounding her performance after the Chicago race.

"People must talk," said Ruth Chepngetich.

She gave a brief response when asked about critics who suspected doping after the record performance.

"I don't know," said Ruth Chepngetich.

Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit, said the organization could not remove the record under current anti-doping rules.

"It is not satisfactory, to be frank," said Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said retrospective action requires proof or a reasonable basis connecting doping to the earlier result.

"In the absence of any evidence or reasonable inference that the athlete was doping before or at the time of the earlier results, might well breach a number of legal principles including proportionality and human rights," said a World Anti-Doping Agency spokesperson.

The agency also said the Lance Armstrong case was not a strong precedent for removing results because of procedural differences.

"He had procedural avenues open to him to contest the sanction but ultimately chose not to use them," said a World Anti-Doping Agency spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that Armstrong’s case did not establish a broad legal path for retrospective disqualification.

"That makes his case a relatively weak precedent for establishing how far retrospective disqualification could legally go," said a World Anti-Doping Agency spokesperson.

Chepngetich's case has drawn comparisons with older disputed records, including those from the 1980s and 1990s. Fellow American sprinter Darrell Robinson made allegations about Florence Griffith Joyner before her death.

Robinson alleged in an interview that Griffith Joyner made a comment about investing money to improve performance.

"If you want to make a million dollars, you've got to invest a couple of thousand," said Darrell Robinson, according to the source.

The AIU said it has caught 317 elite Kenyan athletes since it was established in 2017. The organization operates with an annual budget of $11.9m.

Athletes and support teams have also increased anti-doping efforts. Extra testing was funded before major marathon performances involving athletes including Sabastian Sawe, Jacob Kiplimo and Brigid Kosgei.