The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Kenyan marathon star Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after a sample collected outside competition reportedly returned an adverse analytical finding for erythropoietin (EPO), a substance prohibited in athletics.
According to the AIU, the sample was collected in Kenya before Jepchirchir’s recent victory at the Sydney Marathon, where she claimed the women’s title in an impressive time of 2:18:31.
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EPO is a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. These cells carry oxygen throughout the body, making the hormone particularly significant in endurance sports.
The synthetic version of EPO can be misused in sport to increase red blood cell levels and improve the body’s oxygen-carrying capacity, potentially enhancing endurance performance.
In a statement published on its official X account, the AIU confirmed the provisional suspension of the reigning world marathon champion and former Olympic gold medallist following the adverse analytical finding.
The athletics body also highlighted Jepchirchir’s achievements, describing her as one of Kenya’s most accomplished marathon runners. She has won four World Marathon Majors, securing victories in New York in 2021, Boston in 2022, London in 2024 and Sydney in 2026.
Her latest triumph in Australia saw her lead a Kenyan one-two finish. Fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai, the 2017 world cross-country champion, finished second in 2:22:11, while Ethiopia’s Shure Demise took third place in 2:22:33.
Jepchirchir had an impressive 2025 season, highlighted by her victory at the World Athletics Championships marathon in Tokyo in September. She clocked 2:24:43 to narrowly defeat Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who finished just two seconds behind in 2:24:45. Uruguay’s Julia Paternain secured bronze in 2:27:43.
She subsequently finished second at the Valencia Marathon, recording 2:14:43 behind compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei, who won in 2:14:00. Belgium’s Chloe Herbiet completed the podium in 2:20:38.
Jepchirchir’s decorated career also includes winning the women’s marathon gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, held in 2021, as well as three World Athletics Half Marathon Championship titles in Cardiff in 2016, Gdynia in 2020 and Riga in 2023.
The provisional suspension follows the adverse analytical finding and does not, on its own, constitute a final determination of an anti-doping rule violation. Further proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.
