The running world stood still on October 13, 2024, when Kenyan star blazed through the Chicago Marathon in a jaw-dropping 2:09:56, shattering the women’s world record by nearly two minutes. She became the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier, finishing a staggering seven minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede. Ruth Chepngetich, a three-time Chicago champion, ran with fearless aggression, hitting the halfway mark in 1:04:16, nearly matching her own half-marathon PR. Her performance was historic, but whispers of skepticism followed, given Kenya’s recent doping scandals. Could such a monumental leap be too good to be true?

Well, fast-forward to July 17, 2025, and the Athletics Integrity Unit dropped a bombshell: Chepngetich was provisionally suspended for testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a banned diuretic and masking agent, at 3,800 ng/mL—far above the 20 ng/mL reporting threshold. The sample, taken on March 14, 2025, led to her voluntary suspension on April 19 while the investigation continued. The news rocked the sport, reigniting debates about trust in distance running, especially with Kenya’s ongoing doping crisis. Over 125 Kenyan athletes have faced doping charges, casting a shadow over their dominance. How does this affect the athletes who race clean?

Enter Emily Sisson, the 2022 Chicago Marathon silver medalist and American record holder. Hours after the suspension news broke, Sisson took to Instagram with a raw, reflective story. Without naming Chepngetich, she wrote, “Ignorance is bliss is how you have to operate on a starting line to give yourself a shot and not count yourself out of any race.” She admitted the toll of competing in a field clouded by suspicion: “Feeling like trying to keep up has really taken a toll on my body.” Sisson’s words weren’t an accusation but a lament, capturing the gut-punch of doping revelations. Her message to young athletes was clear: “I promise it is possible to make it onto the world stage without cheating.” But can her optimism hold in a sport grappling with doubt?

Sisson’s 2022 Chicago performance, 2:18:29, breaking the American record, came behind Chepngetich’s blistering 2:14:18. Now, with Chepngetich’s record in question, Sisson’s story highlights a deeper issue: the mental and physical strain of racing in an era where trust is fragile. As the running community processes this fallout, will clean athletes like Sisson find a way to restore faith in the sport?

The investigation and next steps in Ruth Chepngetich’s doping fallout

The running world is still reeling from the bombshell that Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the 2024 Chicago Marathon world-record holder, tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide. On April 3, 2025, she was notified of the failed test, and by April 19, she voluntarily stepped back from competition. “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,” said AIU head Brett Clothier. Her choice to pause racing signaled the gravity of the situation, but what comes next?

On July 17, the Athletics Integrity Unit escalated things, issuing a formal Notice of Charge and imposing an official suspension. This wasn’t just a formality, it marked a turning point in the case.

Chepngetich now faces a potential two-year ban, a penalty that could derail her storied career. Yet, the door isn’t fully closed. She has the right to appeal and present her case before a Disciplinary Tribunal, which will weigh the evidence and decide her fate. The process is meticulous, designed to ensure fairness, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Chepngetich’s defense clear her name, or will this doping scandal define her legacy?