Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, who broke the women’s marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended over a suspected doping violation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Thursday.

Chepngetich made headlines in October when she ran an astonishing 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds at the Chicago Marathon, a performance that shattered the previous world record. However, the 30-year-old tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide during an out-of-competition test conducted on March 14, 2025.

AIU head Brett Clothier confirmed that the case is under investigation and will be presented before a disciplinary tribunal.

“When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code,” he explained.

“Chepngetich 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.

“In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.”

Chepngetich had earlier withdrawn from the 2025 London Marathon, citing that she was “not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best.”

Hydrochlorothiazide, the substance detected in her system, is commonly prescribed for treating fluid retention and high blood pressure but is banned in athletics due to its potential use as a masking agent for performance enhancing drugs.