Former Record-Breaker Kibiwott Kandie Under Suspension for Testing Violations

Kibiwott Kandie, the Kenyan runner who previously held the half-marathon world record, provisionally suspended.

Kenyan distance runner Kibiwott Kandie, who famously broke the half-marathon world record with an impressive 57:32 finish in Valencia at the close of 2020, has received a provisional suspension from competition for allegedly violating anti-doping regulations.

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the 28-year-old athlete faces charges for "evading, refusing, or failing to provide samples for doping tests."

This development sharply contrasts Kandie’s memorable accomplishment nearly five years earlier in Valencia, an achievement celebrated widely at the time. His current situation, however, casts a shadow on that earlier success.

Kandie is the most recent prominent Kenyan runner to face sanctions linked to anti-doping infringements.

Beyond his former half-marathon record, which has since been lowered by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo to 56:42, Kandie earned a silver medal at the 2020 World Half-Marathon Championships.

He also boasts victories in several major international half-marathon events, including competitions in Istanbul, Prague, and Ras al Khaimah.

On the track and road, Kandie holds notable achievements with a personal best of 26:50 for 10 kilometers, achieved in 2022, and a marathon best of 2:04:48 set in 2023.

Additionally, Kandie contributed to Kenya's team victory at the World Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst in 2023.