CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — The fastest woman at this year’s TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race was stripped of her title this week after admitting to violating international anti-doping rules.
Kenyan runner Faith Chepkoech tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin, or EPO, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the governing body World Athletics. The banned substance enhances the body’s ability to bring oxygen to the muscles.
The 21-year-old was tested in Kenya in late July, a little more than a week before the Beach to Beacon 10K race. The results came back in early September, prompting the AIU to hand down a provisional suspension.
In an interview with anti-doping investigators, Chepkoech claimed she had been injected with an unknown substance by an unknown individual days before the drug test. Finally, on Sunday, the AIU received a form from Chepkoech admitting to violating anti-doping rules
"Tuesday or Wednesday, we received the notice," David Backer, the president of the Beach to Beacon race organization, said. "The initial reaction was disappointment."
Backer, though, praised the testing policies in place.
"This is the way the system is supposed to work," he added.
Chepkoech was stripped of her Beach to Beacon title, which now belongs to second-place women's finisher Edna Kiplagat of Kenya.
"I’m sure she’ll be pleased to get a check for an additional $5,000," Backer said of Kiplagat. "But, of course, it is disappointing."
In addition to Chepkoech returning her prize money, she’ll be forced to serve a three-year suspension from racing, reduced from four years for admitting the violation.