The Athletics Integrity Unit have banned Kenya’s Joyline Chepngeno for two years from 8 September 2025 for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Triamcinolone acetonide).
And her results since 9 August 2025 have been amended to DQs, which includes victories at both Sierre-Zinal and UTMB OCC, two of trail running’s most iconic events.
Chepngeno won Sierre-Zinal for the second year in a row on 9 August 2025 and followed that at OCC on 28 August 2025.
‘Unspecified injection to treat knee pain’
The AIU ruling [click here to read it in full] said that on 9 August 2025, Chepngeno provided a urine sample, in-competition at the Sierre-Zinal World Mountain Running Association (“WMRA”) World Cup race held in Switzerland.
It reads: “On 29 August 2025, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany (the “Laboratory”) reported an Adverse Analytical Finding in the sample based on the presence of Triamcinolone acetonide.
“The AIU reviewed the Adverse Analytical Finding in accordance with Article 5 of the International Standard for Results Management (“ISRM”) and determined that: 7.1. the Athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) that had been granted for the Triamcinolone acetonide found in the sample; there was no apparent departure from the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (“ISTI”) or from the International Standard for Laboratories (“ISL”) that could reasonably have caused the Adverse Analytical Finding; and it was not apparent that the Adverse Analytical Finding was caused by an ingestion of the relevant Prohibited Substance through a permitted route.
“Therefore, on 1 September 2025, the AIU notified the Athlete of the Adverse Analytical Finding in accordance with Article 5.1.2.1 of the ISRM, including that the Adverse Analytical Finding may result in Anti-Doping Rule Violations pursuant to Rule 2.1 ADR and/or Rule 2.2 ADR, The athlete was also informed of her rights, inter alia, to request the B Sample analysis, to request copies of the laboratory documentation supporting the Adverse Analytical Finding and to admit the Anti-Doping Rule Violations.
“On 8 September 2025, the Athlete wrote to the AIU stating that she had received an unspecified injection to treat knee pain in July 2025, but that she was not aware that it was prohibited and apologised for her mistake. On the same day, the AIU received an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form signed by the Athlete.
“On the basis that Chepngeno had admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations under Rule 2.1 ADR and Rule 2.2 ADR, in accordance with Rule 10.2.1 ADR, the AIU confirmed by this decision the following Consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation are:
“15.1. a period of Ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on 8 September 2025; and 15.2. disqualification of the Athlete’s results on and since 9 August 2025, with all resulting Consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money.”
‘Zero-tolerance commitment’
The UTMB Group say they have taken note of the decision of the AIU concerning Chepngeno and as a result, the women’s ranking of the OCC 2025 has been officially updated, with China’s Miao Yao now the first-placed athlete.
The UTMB Group also reaffirmed “its commitment to a clean, fair sport that respects the integrity of athletes”.
Sierre-Zinal meanwhile issued a press release which read: “In line with Sierre-Zinal’s regulations and zero-tolerance commitment, she [Chepngeno] has been disqualified from the 2025 race and is banned from participating during her entire suspension period.
“In her very first appearance at Sierre-Zinal, Caroline Kimutai — who tested negative — is officially crowned winner, ahead of Katie Schide and Maude Mathys.”
It continued: “Sierre-Zinal has always been committed to the fight against doping. In recent years, the race has worked closely with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), and the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS). The goal: to uphold the integrity of the sport and protect the health of athletes.”
