Rita Jeptoo, a three-time Boston Marathon winner, won’t be able to defend her crown in 2015.
Jeptoo received a two-year ban for testing positive for the blood-booster EPO in an out-of-competition test last September, Athletics Kenya announced Friday. Both “A” and “B” samples tested positive.
Jeptoo, who is coming off back-to-back Boston Marathon titles, also is a two-time Chicago Marathon winner. Her failed drug test last September came weeks before she won her second consecutive Chicago Marathon.
Jeptoo is suspended from all competition until Oct. 29, 2016, meaning she isn’t eligible to compete in the world championships in Beijing or next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Jeptoo, 33, is one of several Kenyan runners who have failed drug tests in recent years.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
