Earlier this month, Kenyan marathoner James Karanja was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing constructive for using a prohibited substance on the 2023 Kuching Marathon in Malaysia. Now, Karanja may face additional penalties, because it was found he competed at, and received, the Tropical Rainforest Run, a path half-marathon in Tawau Hills, Malaysia, on Sunday.

The Athlete you suspended received a race yesterday,The race was paying money @ADAKKENYA https://t.co/N5f3EkfyoZ pic.twitter.com/wemMpVL5yC

— Lewis Kiprop (@KipropLewis) November 27, 2023

Based on the AIU, Karanja examined constructive for the prohibited substance norandrosterone throughout an in-competition take a look at on the 2023 Kuching Marathon, the place he completed fourth and was eligible for prize cash. Norandrosterone is a metabolite of the anabolic steroid nandrolone, which is used to reinforce efficiency, improve muscle and expedite restoration.

All athletes are prohibited from competing throughout a provisional suspension, whereas the AIU investigates the case. Even when Karanja is discovered harmless, he may resist 4 years for competing throughout whereas suspended.

Karanja was notified by the AIU of his suspension on Oct. 6, and it was made public by the World Athletics-sponsored group in early November. Based on the race web site, the deadline to register was earlier than his suspension was made public, however a substantial time after Karanja was notified.

 The Kenyan, who relies in southeast Asia, received the 21.1K path race with 800m of vertical outright in two hours and 6 minutes. He was awarded 3,000 Malaysian ringgit for his win, or roughly USD $700. He beat the second-place finisher, Amos Kipkemoi, by 30 seconds.

The Tropical Rainforest Run’s web site makes no point out of anti-doping.

Karanja has a private finest of two:27:27 for the marathon and 67:03 for the half.