Marathon Star Albert Korir Handed Five-Year Ban for EPO Doping
Albert Korir, the Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2021 New York City Marathon, has been suspended from competition for five years after admitting to the use of a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that Korir tested positive for synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) during an out-of-competition test conducted in Kenya in October 2025. EPO is a banned substance known to increase red blood cell production, thereby enhancing endurance.
Korir received a one-year reduction from an initial six-year sanction after promptly admitting the violation. His ban is backdated and runs from 8 January 2026 to 7 January 2031.
The case represents another significant setback for Kenyan athletics, which continues to grapple with a persistent pattern of doping violations among its elite distance runners.
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