Masters world record-holder receives four-year doping ban

Kevin Castille, an American masters runner, has received a four-year ban from USADA after testing positive for a steroid at the 2019 U.S. 10K Masters Championships. According to USADA, Castille, 48, tested positive for 19-norandrosterone following his first-place finish at the championships during an in-competition test. Norandrosterone is an anabolic steroid used to build muscle mass. 

USADA announces that Kevin Castille – who tore up the U.S. Masters scene in 2012 [pre-Lagat turning 40] with records in the 10,000m (28:57.88) and 5,000m (14:00.09) – tested positive for a banned steroid in April 2019 at the USATF Masters 10K Champs.

Banned until April 2023. pic.twitter.com/S34weiSjdw

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) July 16, 2020

Castille is a former 5,000m masters world record-holder and multi-time U.S. masters record-holder. He owns personal bests of 28:49.11 for the 10,000m and 1:03:58 for the half-marathon, which he ran at 45 years old. Castille still holds the masters world record in the 10,000m at 29:44.38, which he set in 2017. 

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Castille was a standout runner in high school and was recruited by the University of Louisiana, but he didn’t run during his twenties. During that time, he sold drugs and was arrested in 2001 for possession. According to The New Yorker, time in jail was his wakeup call. After being released, he took running much more seriously and made a name for himself in the masters community.  

Castille initially appealed his case through the arbitration process until several days before his hearing, when he signed the sanction acceptance. He has also been removed from all competition results from April 28, 2019 forward and asked to forfeit points and prizes. His ban runs through 2023.

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