Marathon world champion Peres Jepchirchir suspended after positive EPO test

Renowned marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir will face suspension from Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a positive EPO test. The 33-year-old athlete failed an out-of-competition sample taken in Kenya prior to her successful completion of the Sydney Marathon in August. The AIU declared the provisional suspension on Friday, just a day after Ethiopian winner Ruti Aga was penalized for six years due to a positive test for methylprednisolone and tampering investigation.

The timing of Jepchirchir's positive test, preceding her Sydney triumph, may lead to the disqualification of her victory result. The Kenyan's case echoes that of her fellow countrywoman, Ruth Chepng'etich, who was banned for three years in April 2025 after admitting to using hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic typically employed to conceal performance-enhancing substances.

Despite the ban, Chepng'etich retains all of her records and accolades from before her positive test in March 2025, including her marathon world record. Jepchirchir, a four-time World Marathon Major winner and Olympic gold medalist, currently ranks fifth globally. She secured her marathon title for the first time in Tokyo last September, along with two individual half-marathon world titles.

She holds former world records in both the half-marathon and marathon, first set in London in 2024. Jepchirchir withdrew from the London Marathon due to a stress fracture sustained after finishing second in Valencia in December, thus returning to competitive racing in Sydney.