Lance Armstrong’s drug ban partially lifted, now eligible to race in running events

Just left mile marker 60 with @ebyrnes22 He can hit a 100 mph baseball and run 100. #westernstates #wedū

A photo posted by Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) on Jun 25, 2016 at 6:49pm PDT

Lance Armstrong is eligible to race in select running events after his four-year doping ban was partially lifted in Aug. 24. The former professional cyclist was stripped of seven Tour de France titles for violating anti-doping rules. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) ban came into effect in 2012.

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“He can compete in a sanctioned event at a national or regional level in a sport other than cycling that does not qualify him…to compete in a national championship or international event,” USADA spokesman Ryan Madden told USA TODAY Sports.

Armstrong expressed interest in trail and ultra running this past winter and has since competed in a Spartan Race. The soon-to-be 45-year-old helped pace former baseball player and friend Eric Byrnes at the Western States 100 though Armstrong was not permitted to race as an entrant because of his doping ban.

Such a great moment when your kids learn to ride a bike. Our son Max has been at it for years but just in the last week or so our daughter Olivia has really taken to riding bikes. She has to ride EVERYWHERE. This all meets me going for a chill 5 mile run and now having these amazing pacer/cheerleaders/kids. They are a true inspiration. #wedū

A photo posted by Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) on Jul 24, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

It’s believed that the partially-lifted doping ban allows Armstrong to race in many road running events including the major marathons as they do not serve as qualifiers for a national championship or international event. The former cyclist won seven consecutive Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005 and denied any wrongdoing until confessing publicly in 2013.

RELATED: Lance Armstrong paces friend at Western States 100-miler despite race ban.

According to USA TODAY Sports, Armstrong expressed interest in 2012 in running the Chicago Marathon but was not allowed as the major race was sanctioned by United States Track and Field (USATF). The organization is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Armstrong withdrew from a U.S. Swimming event in 2013 because of the ban.

The Plano, Texas native admitted that it’s unlikely he will be competitively racing again due to his age. He has also started a podcast and is expected to launch his own company in the near future. Armstrong told USA TODAY Sports that he thinks he can compete in “80 per cent” of events given the nature of the ban and certain race requirements.

Per the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ban, Armstrong continues to be banned from participation in cycling events. He is banned for life from sanctioned cycling races.