Boston Marathon women's champion Rita Jeptoo fails drug test

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya, who was to be crowned the World Marathon Majors women’s champion, has reportedly failed a drug test.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Oct 31, 2014

Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo, who was to be crowned the World Marathon Majors women’s champion, has failed an out-of-competition drug test, according to Larry Elder of RunBlogRun. Her agent confirmed the failed test Friday afternoon, the Associated Press reports.

The World Marathon Majors postponed its Sunday awards ceremony after learning that Jeptoo’s A sample taken in Kenya tested positive for a banned substance in September, according to the report. Jeptoo was set to receive the award after winning the Boston Marathon and the Chicago Marathon this year.

In a statement released Friday, the organization expressed its disappointment at the news.

“WMM has always held a stern line on drugs cheats and has been proactively supporting the sports governing bodies to ensure the integrity of the athletes competing in their races,” said Nick Bitel, general counsel for the WMM. “Cheats need to understand that they are not welcome in our sport and that they will be caught.”

Per World Anti-Doping Agency rules, her B sample -- collected along with her A sample -- will soon be tested to determine her status.

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Jeptoo is a three-time Boston Marathon winner and two-time Chicago Marathon winner. Her time of 2:18:57 at the Boston Marathon set a new course record.

GALLERY: SI'S CLASSIC PHOTOS OF THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

Classic SI shots of the New York City Marathon

1978

1979

Bill Rodgers

1979

1980

Grete Waitz

1980

Alberto Salazar

1981

Alberto Salazar

1983

1992

Verrazano Narrows Bridge

1992

Grete Waitz and Fred Lebow

1995

2003

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2005

2007

2008

Paula Radcliffe.

2009

Meb Keflezighi of the U.S., crosses the finish line, becoming the first American to win the race since 1982. His time was 02:09:15.

2009

The top three finishers in the women's division, from left: Ludmila Petrova (2nd, 02:29:00) of Russia; Derartu Tulu ( 1st, 02:28:52) of Ethiopia; and Christelle Daunay (3rd, 02:29:16) of France.