Rita Jeptoo proven guilty of doping

Athletics Kenya announced today that the “B” sample of Boston Marathon champion, Rita Jeptoo tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug EPO. EPO, short for erythropoietin, is a hormone that controls red blood cell production, increasing the efficiency of the body’s oxygen delivery system.

After winning the Boston and Chicago marathons in 2013 and 2014, Jeptoo handily snagged the top spot in the World Marathon Majors, which comes along with a $500,000 prize purse. The awards ceremony, which was scheduled for Nov. 3, never took place. News of Jeptoo’s failed “A” sample was released on Oct. 31 .

Jeptoo first won the Chicago marathon in 2006. After a break while she was pregnant, Jeptoo returned to competition in 2011. She broke 2:20 for the first time in Chicago. In Boston, she set a course record of 2:18:57.

Her now estranged husband has come forward, admitting that he believes that she began doping when she returned to running in 2011. A letter from his lawyer to Jeptoo threatened to disclose her doping unless she reached a financial settlement with him.

If Jeptoo is ruled to be disqualified, the World Marathon Majors title will go to Edna Kiplagat. She will be stripped of her titles and forced to return prize money.