Sydney Marathon champion tests positive for two banned substances

On Monday, the Athletics Integrity Unit announced the provisional suspension of Kenyan marathoner Brimin Kipkorir, who won the 2024 Sydney Marathon in September 2024.

The AIU has provisionally suspended Brimin Misoi Kipkorir (Kenya) for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (EPO, Furosemide).

Details here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f

NOTE: This sample was collected out-of-competition on 22 November 2024. pic.twitter.com/eZW3YOuksl

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) February 24, 2025

The 35-year-old tested positive for two prohibited substances during an out-of-competition test on November 22. The sample taken from Kipkorir reportedly showed the presence of the red blood cell enhancer erythropoietin (EPO) and the masking agent furosemide. Both substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and are prohibited both in and out of competition.

Kipkorir won three of his last four marathons over the past two years and has lowered his personal best during that time by two minutes, to 2:04:53. Three weeks after his positive test, he broke the tape at the 2024 Taipei Marathon in Taiwan with a time of 2:11:41, a result that will likely be annulled.

🇰🇪 Brimin Kipkorir Misoi wins the @sydmarathon, and does so in a record time of 2:06:17 for the event! 👏👏

📺 Watch LIVE via SBS or SBS On Demand 📲 pic.twitter.com/5RMqw9O4dz

— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) September 14, 2024

His Sydney Marathon win in September was the biggest win of his career; the race was in its final year of candidacy to become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. The Sydney Marathon was granted major status in early November.

According to the AIU’s Global List of Ineligible Persons, Kipkorir is the 123rd Kenyan athlete currently serving suspensions for doping-related violations.