Chepngetich, 30, shattered the world record in Chicago last October with a stunning 2:09:56—benchmarking a realm once thought unreachable for female marathoners. Despite that triumph, she quietly withdrew from April’s London Marathon, citing poor mental and physical form—an absence that now appears prescient given the AIU’s findings.
AIU head Brett Clothier confirmed that a provisional suspension was not compulsory for diuretic cases under the World Anti-Doping Code. Nevertheless, Chepngetich elected a voluntary suspension on 19 April while cooperating with investigators. Thursday’s formal charge replaced that voluntary status with an AIU-imposed ban pending a disciplinary hearing.
HCTZ is often prescribed for hypertension but sits on WADA’s S5 list because it can mask performance-enhancing substances. If the tribunal upholds the charge, Chepngetich could face a multi-year ban and the annulment of recent results, placing her world record in jeopardy and leaving Kenya’s road-running dominance under renewed scrutiny.
For now, the once-invincible champion is sidelined, the sport waits on an official verdict, and the women’s marathon record ledger stands on uncertain ground—proof that even the fastest mile can’t outrun the reach of modern anti-doping science.
