Statement From Abbott World Marathon Majors on Rita Jeptoo

Press Release

Following the announcement today made by Athletics Kenya (AK) after Rita Jeptoo’s positive drug test, the organisers of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) confirmed that the winner of the women’s World Marathon Majors 2013/2014 will not be announced until the completion of due process by the IAAF and the outcome of any appeal by Jeptoo.

Nick Bitel, General Counsel for WMM, said: ‘”WMM has held a firm stance against drug takers and cheats since its inception in 2006. We are aware of the positive A and B samples from Rita Jeptoo that were taken from out-of-competition testing in September 2014 that was funded by our organisation in partnership with the IAAF. However until the appeals process has run its course, we are unable to confirm our women’s series winner.“  

Under WMM rules, no athlete who has been in breach of IAAF anti-doping rules can win the World Marathon Majors Series title.

Wilson Kipsang, the winner of the men’s World Marathon Majors Series 2013/14, will be presented with his award at the Virgin Money London Marathon in April.

About World Marathon Majors

Established in 2006, World Marathon Majors (WMM) is a race series comprising the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America Chicago, and TCS New York City Marathons. In the years in which they are run, WMM also includes the IAAF World Championships and Olympic Marathons. At the conclusion of a two-year cycle, WMM offers a $1 million prize purse to be split equally between the top male and female marathoners in the world. The inaugural 2006 - 2007 series launched at the 110th Boston Marathon on April 17, 2006 and concluded at the ING New York City Marathon on November 4, 2007. The 2013 - 2014 series began with the Tokyo Marathon on February 24, 2013 and concluded at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2014.

WMM events were the first major events to confirm that all elite athletes taking part in their events would be blood tested and have consistently called for wider testing by others. Additionally, WWM has previously agreed that any athlete found guilty of a doping offence will not be invited back to its races.