Report: Rita Jeptoo's "B" Drug Test Confirms Presence of EPO

Athletics Kenya has announced that the “B” sample test of two-time Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo has confirmed her use of the performance-enhancing drug EPO, the Associated Press reports.

After victories in Boston and Chicago in 2013 and 2014, Jeptoo clinched the women’s point leadership of the 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors series and its $500,000 purse. The series’ award ceremony was scheduled for November 3 in New York City, one day after the city’s marathon.

But on October 31, it was revealed by RunBlogRun that Jeptoo produced a positive “A” urine sample result for the blood-boosting substance EPO in an out-of-competition drug test in Kenya on September 25. The WMM ceremony was called off. Already informed of her test result, Jeptoo had not made the trip to New York.

If Jeptoo is ruled to be disqualified, the $500,000 would go to Edna Kiplagat, and Jeptoo would face at least a two-year competitive ban. But she still has the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

American Stephanie Rothstein Bruce, a 2:29 marathoner and third American at the 2013 Boston Marathon, said a two-year ban wouldn't be enough.

“To me they’re lifetime bans,” she said. “I see no point in four-year, eight-year, 10-year bans. There’s no point in letting someone back in the sport because what message is that going to send to people? The consequences aren’t harsh enough to thwart people from trying to actually do drugs.”

Other elite runners reacted strongly as well.

“I only wish Rita Jeptoo would have gotten caught earlier,” said Dathan Ritzenhein, who was the top American in the Chicago Marathon in 2012 and 2013. “She spent at least a couple years cashing in at the expense of others and deceiving those who support and love this sport. Her choices cast a shadow on the hard work and dedication of the overwhelming majority of clean athletes who live and breathe this sport. Everyone goes through tough times; she chose to take the easy road instead of the right one.”

Another top American, Ryan Vail, said he was encouraged by the World Anti-Doping Agency's efforts to crack down on doping.

“While the number of athletes being caught is extremely disappointing, it is also a sign that testing is working. There is certainly still a great deal of work to be done,” Vail said.

Jeptoo, 33, first won the Boston Marathon in 2006. She had strong results but no marathon victories in the ensuing two years before going on maternity break. She resumed competing in 2011.

In 2013, she won Boston, seven years after her first victory there, and then broke 2:20 for the first time with a 2:19:57 Chicago win that fall. In Boston last April, in a deep and fast-paced race, Jeptoo showed extraordinary closing speed in setting a course record 2:18:57. Then came a second Chicago victory in 2:24:35.

That Chicago result this past October is the only one of Jeptoo’s past four marathon wins that came after her September drug test, and would seemingly be the only victory that will be erased in light of her positive “B” result.

But Jeptoo’s estranged husband, Noah Busienei, has stated that he believes his wife began doping in 2011, coincident with her post-maternity comeback. A letter from Busienei’s lawyer to Jeptoo in April 2013 alleged that Busienei knew of Jeptoo’s doping and warned that, unless she made a financial settlement with him, he would be “willing to take the necessary step by revealing/disclosing/unleashing the doping dossier" to Athletics Kenya and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Jeptoo is the most significant Kenyan marathoner to fail a drug test. Her case is a significant factor in prompting what purports to be greater vigilance by Athletics Kenya in combating doping. David Kiptoo, AK’s vice president, said when the “A” result was announced that his organization “is taking this matter very seriously and we would like to prove to the world that we are not lying on things that we know are bad."

Earlier this week, Athletics Kenya announced that 2:40 marathoner Viola Chelangat Kimetto and 1:10 half marathoner Joyce Jemutai Kiplimo have tested positive for norandrosterone, the metabolite of the steroid nandrolone.

Statements by Businei and Athletics Kenya sought to blame drug problems among the country’s athletes on the influence and presence of foreign coaches, agents, and doctors. But Jeptoo’s coach, Claudio Berardelli, and agent, Federico Rosa, professed ignorance of doping by Jeptoo when her positive “A” result was announced. “I feel stupid,” Berardelli said.

After today's announcement, Rosa told Newswire, "I have nothing to do now with her. Maybe she should help other people and say who gave her [the EPO]. That’s what I hope she will do now, to help."

Another issue surrounding Jeptoo concerns prize money. At the very least, she could be compelled to return her winnings from 2014 Chicago Marathon (although prize money payments are usually delayed, pending drug test results).

Earlier cases suggest retrieving money from Jeptoo could be difficult. Shobukhova won Chicago three times and London once, and won two $500,000 World Marathon Majors checks. Earlier this year, it was announced there were irregularities in her biological passport that would negate all of her marathon victories dating back to 2009. But, as we reported last month, no one affiliated with the Majors has a concrete plan for recovering those payouts.

Shobukhova’s case is not yet fully adjudicated, but her countrywoman Inga Abitova has had second place finishes at the 2010 London and New York City Marathons expunged from the record books, but neither race has recovered her prize money.

"I looked at [Jeptoo] literally as a stealer of a moment and a really special moment. It’s one that can never be given back," said Shalane Flanagan in a recent interview with Running Times about Jeptoo's win at Boston this year and failed out-of-competition drug test in the following months. "I look at all dopers, and I don’t even look at the money. Yes, they steal money. But they’re stealers of dreams and stealers of moments."

Following the news of Jeptoo's "B" sample results, some runners reacted on Twitter: