NAIROBI, Kenya, October 16 – Athletics Kenya (AK) have come out to defend newly crowned women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich from allegations of doping following her gargantuan feat at Sunday’s Chicago Marathon.
The federation said it is preposterous to cast aspersions on a seasoned winner like Chepng’etich who has upheld integrity and hard work throughout her career.
“In any case, many world records were broken this year and to single her out is utterly unfair. It is therefore disheartening to hear some sections of the media casting unwarranted doubts on her achievements. Such aspersions, made without due process, undermine not only her efforts but the integrity of the sport,” the federation said in a statement.
The statement adds: “It is important to note that Ruth, like all other athletes in major competitions, underwent multiple anti-doping tests, both pre-race and post-race. These are standard procedures in events of this magnitude and only after all results are verified will her record be officially ratified.”
AK described the 2019 world marathon champion as an elite athlete who has earned her stripes with a record of gallant performances, including victory at two editions of the Chicago Marathon.
“Her familiarity with the course, having won this prestigious marathon in 2021 and 2022, played a pivotal role in her third victory, showcasing her tactfulness and athletic mastery. Her latest triumph is a continuation of this stellar career, despite missing the 2024 Paris Olympics due to illness,” the federation said.
AK’s statement comes in the wake of an X thread by Stephen Kerr, an athletics enthusiast, who on Sunday seemed to cast doubts on Chepng’etich’s world record in Chicago, in which she clocked 2:09:56 to become the first female marathoner to clock a sub-2:10.
Kerr claimed that it is impossible for Chepng’etich to shave off two minutes from Tigist Asefa’s previous world record at last year’s Berlin Marathon.
He further stated that the 30-year-old’s marathon career progression makes no sense for her to suddenly turn up and clock a world record.
Nonetheless, AK pointed out that Chepng’etich’s feat is not without precedent.
“Ruth’s achievement, while impressive, is not without precedent. Marathon records have been broken by even wider margins, affirming that her feat is well within the bounds of possibility for an athlete of her calibre,” they said.
In smashing the world record, Chepng’etich followed in the footsteps of Kelvin Kiptum who clocked 2:00:35 at last year’s edition of the same marathon in the men’s race.
