Nine months after smashing the women’s marathon world record, Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended from the sport following a positive doping test that casts doubt on her 2024 Chicago Marathon run.
Chepngetich received $150,000 from the Chicago Marathon—$100,000 for her victory and another $50,000 for setting a new world record. But experts say the total value of her accomplishment is closer to $500,000 when considering the various ancillary benefits, including sponsor bonuses and future appearance fees that come with being atop the sport. And while some of that money could make its way to those who finished behind her, the total value of winning one of the seven World Marathon Majors can never be fully restored after the fact.
“It’s a missed opportunity for the second-place finisher,” said Hawi Keflezighi, a representative for track athletes including 2024 Chicago Marathon men’s champion John Korir and brother of New York and Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi. “If you’re a winner, that impacts what you can get in terms of appearance fees for the next World Marathon Major or other event, and those are definitely six-figures for a winner…. If you’re not a champion, then you’re not getting six-figure appearance fees.”
It is unclear when, if ever, other runners will receive the complete clarity on the validity of Chepngetich’s Chicago performance needed to officially adjust the results, if she were to be deemed ineligible. For now, her record stands.
In March, Chepngetich tested positive for a diuretic that can be used to mask the presence of other prohibited substances, the World Athletics’ integrity unit announced on Thursday. The Kenyan has an opportunity to have her case heard before a disciplinary tribunal, as she faces a potential two-year ban. Her representative did not respond to a request for comment.
In the past, marathon results have been vacated following positive drug tests, but usually only when illicit substances are tied to specific race performances. In 2022, for instance, Diana Kipyokei had her 2021 Boston Marathon win stripped following a positive drug test from a sample taken on the day of her race. The Boston Athletic Association retroactively adjusted results, making Kenyan Edna Kiplagat the winner, and provided prize award adjustments to top finishers. The following spring, the BAA even held a special ceremony honoring Kiplagat.
In 2024, a private donor stepped in to pay Buzunesh Deba the remainder of the $75,000 she was owed after the initial 2014 Boston Marathon winner, Rita Jeptoo, was disqualified for doping. And earlier this year, runners from the 2016 event received additional prize money after the disqualification of Joyce Chepkirui.
But some of the benefits of winning a top marathon—or even coming in the top three or top 10—cannot easily be delivered well after the race day. “You miss out on everything on the day—having your family with you, being on the podium, all the celebrations,” said agent Brendan Reilly, who represents Kiplagat. “The money is great, but it’s all those once-in-a-lifetime things from the experience [that you miss out on].”
Chicago’s second place finisher, Sutume Kebede, previously won the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, likely lessening the loss in future appearance fees. But failing to win the Chicago race did cause her to miss out on a $50,000 World Marathon Majors prize awarded to each year’s best male and female competitor across the series. Hellen Obiri, 2024 Boston Marathon winner, claimed that prize instead via tiebreaker.
Repeated instances of doping can also impact a sport’s attractiveness to sponsors, both at the race and athlete level. Bank of America has sponsored the Chicago Marathon since 2008.
“Brands are being selective about who they work with,” Keflezighi said. “Thoroughness and due diligence will continue, but I think and I hope that it doesn’t deter them from continuing to invest in this amazing sport and amazing athletes.”
In 2024, Chepngetich’s world record showing in Chicago stunned much of the racing world, as she took nearly two minutes off Tigist Assefa’s previous mark with a time of 2:09:56. Only nine men went faster than her on the day.
“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream,” Chepngetich said after the event. “I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.”
Kiptum, who holds the men’s world record, died in a car crash in February 2024.
As soon as the post-race press conference, onlookers began raising questions of potential doping concerns. “It’s either the greatest running achievement in history…or… it’s drugs,” marathon coach James McKirdy posted on X afterwards. At the time, Athletics Kenya released a statement decrying “baseless claims” against Chepngetich.
Chepngetich also won the 2021 and 2022 Chicago Marathons, and she finished second in 2023. There is no indication right now that Chepngetich was doping for those races either. The event’s anti-doping policy states that, “If an athlete receives a ban from World Athletics based on a drug test (in or out of competition) or findings from the Athlete’s Biological Passport (ABP), the athlete’s records will be annulled and the standing of athletes who placed behind the disqualified athlete will be updated.”
A marathon representative said the event is waiting for any potential appeal before commenting on the potential financial implications.
American Emily Sisson, who finished second in Chicago in 2022, posted on Instagram, calling the news of Chepngetich’s positive test “a punch in the gut.”
Chepngetich also won the 2022 and 2023 Nagoya Marathons, which have the highest winner’s payout, at $250,000, as well as two Istanbul Marathons and the World Championships in 2019.
As of the end of 2024, World Athletics’ integrity unit had nearly 500 track & field athletes or personnel listed as ineligible for doping-related offenses.
“Drug cheats in track & field ruin a lot for clean athletes,” Jamaican runner Aisha Praught-Leer posted on social media last week. “It’s not just the end result. It’s race tactics that can cook your clean legs because you don’t have the extra ‘gear’ to hold the move, or go out way too fast. It’s standards that are set based on the previous year’s (doped) results. Those standards determine if you make it to the Olympics or Worlds. Those coveted spots determine what meets or races you get to run. Which determines how fast you are. Which determines how much you get paid. Which determines if your dreams are valuable enough to keep chasing.”
