Boston and Chicago Marathon champ Rita Jeptoo to serve two-year doping ban

Rita Jeptoo

Nairobi, Dec 20 (IANS)

Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo of Kenya will have to forfeit her prize money and World Marathon Majors (WMM) jackpot after her sample B tested positive.

A statement by Athletics Kenya (AK) Friday confirmed that Jeptoo indeed failed a dope test, which was contacted Sept 25, an out- of-competition test and will have to serve the mandatory two-year ban, reports Xinhua.

"Athletics Kenya has received the results of the B sample analysis of Rita Jeptoo as per her request and in line with IAAF Rules and Regulations," said a statement from Athletics Kenya.

"The results of the analysis of the B sample which was conducted Dec 17-19 at the WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) accredited laboratory of Lausanne confirmed the finding of the A sample. Consequently, AK will constitute the hearing of this case early January, 2015," it said.

Jeptoo tested positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test in late September, just weeks before winning for the second straight year in the Windy City.

This was after WADA official took her urine test. Her blood and urine showed traces of the blood-boosting drug. With the confirmation, Jeptoo will have to forfeit her $500,000 jackpot for the WMM. The cash award will now have to be paid out to second placed Edna Kiplagat, the World Marathon champion.

Jeptoo, 35, joined the sub-2:20 women's marathoners club with a two hours and 19. 57 minutes victory at the 2013 Chicago Marathon.

At Boston, the following April she cut another minute off her personal best with a course record two hours and 18.57 minutes with almost dead even splits of an hour and 09.29 minutes and an hour and 09. 28 minutes.

At Chicago in 2014, she became the first woman to break the winner's banner in four consecutive races as she achieved a perfect 100 points for the 2013-14 seasons. But that result will be annulled because she failed the dope test.

Jeptoo first put her name on the roster of Boston champions with a 10-second win at the 2006 race.