Marathon runner Titus Ekiru, 6th fastest of all-time, charged and faces 10-year ban in doping case #Marathon #runner #Titus #Ekiru #6th #fastest #alltime #charged #faces #10year #ban #doping #case

MONACO (AP) — Marathon runner Titus Ekiru faces a 10-year ban in a doping investigation centered on the race that currently ranks him as the sixth-fastest man of all-time in the event.

The Athletics Integrity Unit said Monday the 31-year-old Kenyan faces two charges for positive doping tests and two more of tampering.

Ekiru ran a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, 57 seconds to win the Milan Marathon in May 2021. The current record is 2:01.09 by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last year.

Rick Hoyt, center, is pushed by his father Dick, left, along the Boston Marathon course, April 15, 2013, in Wellesley, Mass. Hoyt, who with his father pushing his wheelchair became a fixture at the Boston Marathon and other races for decades, has died. He was 61. Hoyt died of complications with his respiratory system, his family announced on Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

BOSTON (AP) — Rick Hoyt, who with his father pushing his wheelchair became a fixture at the Boston Marathon and other races for decades, has died. He was 61.

FILE - Eliud Kipchoge, center, waits for the start of the Berlin Marathon in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. Kenyan marathon specialist Eliud Kipchoge has won the Princess of Asturias Award for sports for 2023 it was announced on Thursday May 18, 2023. The Spanish foundation that organizes the prizes said that Kipchoge, holder two Olympic gold medals for the marathon, is a legend in world athletics and the best marathon runner of all time. The awards are given out in a ceremony in October. (AP Photo/Christoph Soeder, File)

Kenyan marathon specialist Eliud Kipchoge has won the Princess of Asturias Award for sports for 2023.

In this image provided by Harvard University photo, Associated Press staff photographer Elise Amendola poses in Harvard Yard on May 2015, in Cambridge, Mass. Amendola, who recently retired from the AP, died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at her home in North Andover, Mass., after a 13-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 70. (Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard University photo via AP)

Renowned Associated Press photojournalist Elise Amendola — a determined, joyous and patient journalist who masterfully photographed pivotal global news and sporting events spanning decades — has died.

Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line to win the men's race at the London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 23, 2023.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

LONDON (AP) — Kelvin Kiptum collapsed to the ground after winning the London Marathon on Sunday and recording the second fastest time in history over the distance.

Ekiru tested positive at the Italian race for the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide, which is prohibited for use in-competition unless an athlete is granted an exemption for medical use.

The AIU said a first investigation into the Milan positive test was closed, then reopened when Ekiru also tested positive for a synthetic opioid while winning in Abu Dhabi in November 2021.

“The athlete tested positive for pethidine after winning in Abu Dhabi, and again claimed the outcome resulted from legitimate medical treatment,” the AIU said.

The track and field investigation body said it noticed the “emergence of a pattern of triamcinolone acetonide use among Kenyan athletes.”

The substance is perhaps best known for being used with a medical exemption by British cyclist Bradley Wiggins before competing in the 2012 Tour de France, a race which he won.

Ekiru was provisionally suspended one year ago and was later charged with suspected doping violations in March and April, the AIU said.

Two more charges of tampering have now been added for the runner “submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation to the AIU for both positive tests,” the AIU said.

“This means the elite marathoner — who has the right to defend himself before the Disciplinary Tribunal — is facing a potential 10-year ban,” said the Monaco-based investigation unit, which praised the cooperation it got from Kenyan authorities.

Ekiru also won the half marathon title at the 2019 African Games.