The awards ceremony to recognize the winners of the 2013-2014 World Marathon Majors series has been postponed from its scheduled Sunday occurrence, the series has announced.
The postponement comes as Kenyan Rita Jeptoo, who won this year's Boston and Chicago Marathons and was to be awarded the women's $500,000 World Marathon Majors title, has reportedly tested positive for the banned blood-boosting agent EPO.
Longtime running journalist Larry Eder reported the news of Jeptoo's alleged positive test earlier today on RunBlogRun. The Kenyan athletic federation has subsequently told AFP News that Jeptoo's test was positive for EPO.
In the World Marathon Majors scoring system, Jeptoo had amassed enough points in the 2013-2014 season that no woman running Sunday's New York City Marathon would have been able to surpass her. The men's series title will be determined by Sunday's marathon results.
According to RunBlogRun, Jeptoo's alleged positive result happened in September in Kenya. Under drug-testing protocol, a second sample, known as the "B" sample, must be tested and also come back positive for the banned substance for Jeptoo to be considered guilty. According to RunBlogRun, Jeptoo's B sample hasn't been tested yet. Jeptoo, or a representative of hers, is entitled to be present for testing of the B sample, but the athlete has the option of waiving the testing of the B sample.
Normally, the B sample would be tested within seven working days following a request to do so by the national anti-doping organization (Kenya’s, in this case). A provisional suspension may be handed down, but an athlete can request a hearing at this point. A full adjudication of the hearings process could take two months.
"At present there has been no decision in this case by the IAAF, including in relation to sanctions, and as a result WMM is unable to comment further until that determination has been made although in the circumstances it has been decided to postpone the WMM Awards Ceremony that was due to take place on the 2nd November 2014," the series said in announcing the postponement.
Until the last couple of years, Jeptoo, 33, was best known as the winner of the 2006 Boston Marathon. After taking a break to become a mother, she returned to the top of the marathon world by winning Boston in 2013, and following that up by winning Chicago that fall. In April she set the Boston course record of 2:18:57.
In a statement sent to Runner's World Newswire, a WADA official wrote, "Pursuant to the rules of the Code, WADA does not comment on any pending cases, as we must respect the integrity of the process and the rights of athletes."
The Boston Athletic Association, which puts on the Boston Marathon, released the following statement:
We will await the issuance of an official statement from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) before further addressing the matter. Top finishers at the Boston Marathon are tested in accordance with the strict guidelines set forth by the IAAF, and the B.A.A. cooperates with all testing procedures and is supportive of the protocol. It is premature for us to provide additional comment at this point. Boston has been and continues to be an advocate for strict anti-doping measures along with the other events which comprise the World Marathon Majors.
Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including Running Is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and Meb for Mortals. Scott has also written about running for Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.
