Kenyan long-distance runner Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after an out-of-competition drug test reportedly detected erythropoietin (EPO) in her sample.
The specimen was collected in Kenya before her participation in the Sydney Marathon on August 30, 2026, where she emerged victorious with a finishing time of two hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds.
EPO is a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production. Its use as a performance-enhancing substance increases the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, potentially improving endurance and athletic performance.
The 33-year-old athlete secured Olympic marathon gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 before claiming the women’s marathon title at the World Athletics Championships in September 2025.
Her achievements also include setting the women’s half-marathon world record in 2017, followed by three further record-breaking performances in 2020.
Jepchirchir has established herself among the leading figures in distance running, having triumphed at the New York City Marathon in 2021, the Boston Marathon in 2022 and the London Marathon in 2024.
At the Sydney event, which joined the World Marathon Majors series in 2025, she finished more than three minutes ahead of fellow Kenyan Irene Chepet Cheptai.
The provisional suspension follows the adverse test result, with the sample having been obtained before the Sydney competition.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong