Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after failing a drug test on March 14, 2025. The AIU suspension is based on the Presense and Use of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

Chepngetich shocked the world when she ran 2:09:56 to shatter the World Record and win the 2024 Chicago Marathon. At the time, many skeptics questioned the authenticity of her effort as Chepngetich broke the previous WR by nearly two minutes. 

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Following a test on March 14, 2025, it was found that she allegedly had an estimated 3800 ng/mL of Hydrochlorothiazide in her urine. HCTZ is a diuretic.

The AIU was notified of Chepngetich's positive test on April, 3. She was notified on April 16 and she complied with AIU requests regarding their investigation.

Chepngetich opted for a voluntary provisional suspension on April 19 while the AIU's investigation was ongoing.

Brett Clothier, AIU Head, explained that the provisional suspension is not mandatory under World Anti-Doping (WADA) code in a provided statement.

"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 April 19, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension..."

Today - the AIU issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.

According to the AIU - HCTZ is a diuretic and clinically used to treat fluid retention. It is a class S5 prohibited substance and prohibited at all times. Diuretics may be abused to mask the presence of other prohibited substances.

The maximum allowable level of HCTZ is 20 ng/ML. Chepngetich had a whopping estimated 3800 ng/mL in her urine sample. 

A final suspension would carry an imposed sanction ban of two years.

Following Chepngetich's record breaking run, she had a surprisingly poor run at the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana, a 10,000m road race in Spain on December 31. She finished second with a 31:32, in a pace slower than her record-cetting marathon effort.

In March of 2025 she posted a 1:06:20 Half Marathon in Lisbon (POR), finishing second.

She then withdrew out of the 2025 London Marathon field, which was scheduled for April 27.

""I'm not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best in London and I am therefore withdrawing," she said in a provided statement. "I am very sad to miss the race and I hope to be back next year."

Her withdrawal came on April 18, a day before her voluntary provisional suspension began.

What is Hydrochlorothiazide?

According to the AIU - HCTZ is a diuretic and clinically used to treat fluid retention. It is a class S5 prohibited substance and prohibited at all times. Diuretics may be abused to mask the presence of other prohibited substances.

According to the Mayo Clinic - HCTZ is most often used to treat high blood pressure, but it is also used to treat fluid retention (edema). It is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) and it is used to reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine.

What is the AIU?

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is World Athletics' independent body that manages integrity issues in the sport. They manage both doping and non-doping violations. The AIU's role is to "drive cheats out of the sport" and to support honest athletics.

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