Kenyan runner Geoffrey Yegon disqualified from Singapore Marathon after doping violation

Kenyan long-distance runner Geoffrey Yegon has been stripped of his title as the 2024 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) champion after testing positive for a banned substance.

The event’s organisers confirmed on 16 May 2025 that Yegon failed a post-race doping test conducted on 1 December 2024, the day of the race.

As a result, the 31-year-old has been handed a two-year ban from competition by World Athletics and removed from the official race results.

In line with protocol, SCSM had withheld the winner’s prize money of US$45,000 until the completion of anti-doping procedures. With Yegon’s disqualification, the sum will be awarded to the new winner once the updated results are finalised.

“The SCSM team was informed of the situation by World Athletics and Yegon was removed from event results, with all athletes moving up one position,” a spokesperson for the marathon told CNA.

Narrow finish, overturned months later

Yegon had crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 6 seconds, narrowly beating Uganda’s Abel Sikowo, who clocked in at 2:16:12.

The victory was celebrated at the time as a remarkable performance in humid conditions, but nearly six months later, the record books tell a different story.

The official SCSM website now lists Sikowo as the men’s marathon champion, although organisers have yet to issue a formal press statement announcing the revised standings.

Banned steroid detected

According to a report by Athletics Illustrated published on 7 March 2025, Yegon’s urine sample tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic corticosteroid banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) when used without a therapeutic exemption.

The report also stated that Yegon admitted to taking the substance. Because of his admission and cooperation with authorities, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reduced his suspension to two years, instead of the standard four-year ban usually imposed for such violations.

The suspension is backdated to 1 December 2024, meaning Yegon will be ineligible to compete until late 2026.

Clean sport emphasised

In a statement, the SCSM organising team reiterated its commitment to fair competition:

“The team was disappointed to learn of this situation and are strong supporters of World Athletics’ stance on doping. We continue to work closely with Anti-Doping Singapore and the Athletics Integrity Unit to ensure that all athletes compete on a level playing field.”

The marathon is sanctioned by Singapore Athletics, with technical officials ensuring compliance with competition standards. Anti-Doping Singapore partnered with World Athletics and the AIU to conduct testing at the 2024 race.

Scale of the event

The 2024 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, held from 29 November to 1 December, drew a record 55,000 participants across its various race categories, including the marathon, half marathon, 10 km, and kids’ dash.

Local favourites also had their share of the spotlight. Soh Rui Yong clinched the national men’s marathon title with a time of 2:46:05, while Shaun Goh secured victory in the half marathon in 1:12:31.

Doping in long-distance running

The case adds to a growing list of doping scandals involving East African runners in recent years. Kenya, one of the world’s most successful nations in middle- and long-distance running, has faced heightened scrutiny from the AIU.

Dozens of Kenyan athletes have been suspended for doping offences in the past decade, with substances ranging from anabolic agents to erythropoietin (EPO).

The AIU has categorised Kenya as a “Category A” high-risk nation for doping, meaning athletes from the country are subject to stricter testing requirements.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has repeatedly stressed that protecting the credibility of road running events is a top priority. “Marathons are a global stage,” Coe said at a previous briefing, “and athletes must know that the integrity of competition is sacrosanct.”

Reactions and implications

While Yegon has not issued a public statement since his disqualification was confirmed, his case has sparked discussion within the running community about the persistent challenge of doping in the sport.

Sports lawyer and former distance runner James Tan told The Straits Times that the outcome was a reminder of the importance of strict anti-doping measures.

“Even if it takes months for results to be confirmed, holding back prize money and enforcing retroactive disqualifications are key deterrents. Athletes know that they cannot escape scrutiny,” Tan said.

Uganda’s Abel Sikowo, now the official SCSM 2024 champion, has not publicly commented on his elevation to first place. His victory will make him the first Ugandan to win the Singapore Marathon, adding to his growing reputation on the international road running circuit.

Singapore’s anti-doping stance

Singapore has consistently taken a hard line against doping in sports. Anti-Doping Singapore (ADS), a statutory body under Sport Singapore, conducts testing at major sporting events and is recognised by WADA for its enforcement standards.

Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Edwin Tong, who has previously addressed doping issues, said in a 2023 speech that Singapore’s commitment to drug-free sport was not just about compliance but about “protecting the values of integrity, respect, and excellence.”

The SCSM case underscores the continuing challenges faced by organisers in ensuring fairness, especially as the event grows in international prestige.

Looking ahead

The disqualification of Geoffrey Yegon closes a long chapter of uncertainty for the 2024 Singapore Marathon, nearly six months after the race. While the spotlight now falls on Abel Sikowo as the rightful winner, the incident highlights the ongoing battle against doping in distance running.

For athletes, organisers, and fans alike, the message is clear: victories must be earned cleanly, or they risk being erased altogether.