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| image = Jemima Sumgong Rio 2016.jpg
| image = Jemima Sumgong Rio 2016.jpg
| caption = Sumgong at the 2016 Olympics
| caption = Sumgong at the 2016 Olympics
| fullname = Jemima Jelagat Sumgong<ref name=chicagomarathon>{{cite book|title=Elite athletes|date=2014|publisher=[[Chicago Marathon]]|location=USA|page=86|url=https://assets-chicagomarathon-com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2_Elite-Athletes.pdf|accessdate=23 October 2015}}</ref>
| fullname = Jemima Jelagat Sumgong<ref name=chicagomarathon>{{cite book|title=Elite athletes|date=2014|publisher=[[Chicago Marathon]]|location=USA|page=86|url=https://assets-chicagomarathon-com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2_Elite-Athletes.pdf|access-date=23 October 2015}}</ref>
| nationality = [[Kenya]]n
| nationality = [[Kenya]]n
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|21|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|21|df=y}}
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==Career==
==Career==
===Early career===
===Early career===
Hailing from the [[Nandi District]] in Kenya, Sumgong began to compete abroad in 2004. In one of her first elite races, she came second at the [[Gothenburg Half Marathon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/mohamed-beats-munich-medallists-as-36000-runn|title=Mohamed beats Munich medalists, as 36,000 runners take part in Gothenburg Half Marathon|publisher=IAAF|date=17 May 2004|accessdate=2 April 2019}}</ref> She started to establish herself as a [[running|runner]] on the American road circuit in 2005. She won the [[Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon]] and Maggie Valley Moonlight Run that year.<ref>Monti, Dave (1 June 2011). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_BBC20.htm Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon]. [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>Post, Marty (2 June 2008). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_MgV8.htm Maggie Valley Moonlight 8 km]. ARRS. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> Further victories followed in 2006, as she won the Get In Gear 10K in [[Minneapolis]], the [[Cleveland 10K]] and the [[Wharf to Wharf 6-Miler]].<ref>[https://www.arrs.run/HP_GiG10.htm Get in Gear 10 km]. ARRS (3 May 2011). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.arrs.run/HP_Cle10.htm Cleveland 10 km]. ARRS (18 May 2009). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>Leydig, Jack (25 July 2011). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_WfWf6.htm Wharf to Wharf 6 mile]. ARRS. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> She ran a 15K personal best of 49:39 minutes at the [[Utica Boilermaker]] in July and, that November, she ran the fastest ever [[half marathon]] in [[Trinidad and Tobago]], winning a race in [[Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago|Saint Augustine]] in 1:12:08 hours.<ref name=BAA>[http://raceday.baa.org/2012/cf/public/wnd_iAthleteDetailsWindow.cfm?RaceAppID=29738 Jemima Jelagat Sumgong] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210305/http://raceday.baa.org/2012/cf/public/wnd_iAthleteDetailsWindow.cfm?RaceAppID=29738 |date=3 March 2016 }}. Boston Athletic Association. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.arrs.run/AC_HMar.htm All-Comers Records- Half Marathon] ARRS (10 December 2011). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref>
Hailing from the [[Nandi District]] in Kenya, Sumgong began to compete abroad in 2004. In one of her first elite races, she came second at the [[Gothenburg Half Marathon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/mohamed-beats-munich-medallists-as-36000-runn|title=Mohamed beats Munich medalists, as 36,000 runners take part in Gothenburg Half Marathon|publisher=IAAF|date=17 May 2004|access-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> She started to establish herself as a [[running|runner]] on the American road circuit in 2005. She won the [[Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon]] and Maggie Valley Moonlight Run that year.<ref>Monti, Dave (1 June 2011). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_BBC20.htm Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon]. [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>Post, Marty (2 June 2008). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_MgV8.htm Maggie Valley Moonlight 8 km]. ARRS. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> Further victories followed in 2006, as she won the Get In Gear 10K in [[Minneapolis]], the [[Cleveland 10K]] and the [[Wharf to Wharf 6-Miler]].<ref>[https://www.arrs.run/HP_GiG10.htm Get in Gear 10 km]. ARRS (3 May 2011). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.arrs.run/HP_Cle10.htm Cleveland 10 km]. ARRS (18 May 2009). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>Leydig, Jack (25 July 2011). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_WfWf6.htm Wharf to Wharf 6 mile]. ARRS. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> She ran a 15K personal best of 49:39 minutes at the [[Utica Boilermaker]] in July and, that November, she ran the fastest ever [[half marathon]] in [[Trinidad and Tobago]], winning a race in [[Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago|Saint Augustine]] in 1:12:08 hours.<ref name=BAA>[http://raceday.baa.org/2012/cf/public/wnd_iAthleteDetailsWindow.cfm?RaceAppID=29738 Jemima Jelagat Sumgong] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210305/http://raceday.baa.org/2012/cf/public/wnd_iAthleteDetailsWindow.cfm?RaceAppID=29738 |date=3 March 2016 }}. Boston Athletic Association. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.arrs.run/AC_HMar.htm All-Comers Records- Half Marathon] ARRS (10 December 2011). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref>


Sumgong's first marathon came at the [[Las Vegas Marathon]] in 2006 and she won on her first attempt, taking the women's title in a time of 2:35:22 hours.<ref>[http://www.caltrack.com/californiatr/news/lasvegasmarathon06final.html Kahugu, Jelagat Win New Las Vegas Marathon]. Running USA/Cal Track (15 December 2006). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> She came third at the [[Azalea Trail Run]] the following year.<ref name=BAA/> She made her European debut at the 2007 [[Frankfurt Marathon]] and she came fourth in an improved time of 2:29:41 hours.<ref>{{cite news|last=Butcher|first=Pat|date=28 October 2007|url=http://www.germanroadraces.de/24-1-3229-kigen-defends-with-sub208-kraus-surprises-.html|title=Kigen defends with sub-2:08, Kraus surprises – Frankfurt Marathon|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> Her next outing over the distance came at the [[San Diego Marathon]] and she was runner-up in 2:30:18 hours behind [[Yulia Gromova]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cruz |first=Dan |date=1 June 2008 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=45148.html |title=Wangai, Gromova win 2008 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon |publisher=IAAF |access-date=29 April 2012 |archive-date= 8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708101539/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D45148.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> She signed up to work for the [[Kenyan Armed Forces]] in 2009. Taking a break from running, she married Noah Talam (another Kenyan marathon runner) and the couple later had a daughter in 2011. Having missed the 2009 season, she returned in 2010 and was runner-up at the [[San Blas Half Marathon]], fifth at the [[Berlin Half Marathon]] and fifth at the San Diego Marathon.<ref name=BAA/>
Sumgong's first marathon came at the [[Las Vegas Marathon]] in 2006 and she won on her first attempt, taking the women's title in a time of 2:35:22 hours.<ref>[http://www.caltrack.com/californiatr/news/lasvegasmarathon06final.html Kahugu, Jelagat Win New Las Vegas Marathon]. Running USA/Cal Track (15 December 2006). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref> She came third at the [[Azalea Trail Run]] the following year.<ref name=BAA/> She made her European debut at the 2007 [[Frankfurt Marathon]] and she came fourth in an improved time of 2:29:41 hours.<ref>{{cite news|last=Butcher|first=Pat|date=28 October 2007|url=http://www.germanroadraces.de/24-1-3229-kigen-defends-with-sub208-kraus-surprises-.html|title=Kigen defends with sub-2:08, Kraus surprises – Frankfurt Marathon|publisher=IAAF|access-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> Her next outing over the distance came at the [[San Diego Marathon]] and she was runner-up in 2:30:18 hours behind [[Yulia Gromova]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cruz |first=Dan |date=1 June 2008 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=45148.html |title=Wangai, Gromova win 2008 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon |publisher=IAAF |access-date=29 April 2012 |archive-date= 8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708101539/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D45148.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> She signed up to work for the [[Kenyan Armed Forces]] in 2009. Taking a break from running, she married Noah Talam (another Kenyan marathon runner) and the couple later had a daughter in 2011. Having missed the 2009 season, she returned in 2010 and was runner-up at the [[San Blas Half Marathon]], fifth at the [[Berlin Half Marathon]] and fifth at the San Diego Marathon.<ref name=BAA/>


After the birth of her daughter, Sumgong made a successful return in December 2011 at the [[Castellón Marathon]], which she won in a personal best of 2:28:32 hours.<ref>[http://runinfinity.com/2011/12/maraton-ciudad-de-castellon-results-new-for-both-men-and-women.html Maratón Ciudad de Castellón Results, New For Both Men And Women]. Run Infinity (13 December 2012). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref>
After the birth of her daughter, Sumgong made a successful return in December 2011 at the [[Castellón Marathon]], which she won in a personal best of 2:28:32 hours.<ref>[http://runinfinity.com/2011/12/maraton-ciudad-de-castellon-results-new-for-both-men-and-women.html Maratón Ciudad de Castellón Results, New For Both Men And Women]. Run Infinity (13 December 2012). Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref>


===2012===
===2012===
Sumgong was seventh at the highly competitive [[Kenyan Cross Country Championships]] at the start of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mutuota|first=Mutwiri|date=18 February 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/karoki-and-chepkirui-steal-the-headlines-in-n|title=Karoki and Chepkirui steal the headlines in Nairobi|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref>
Sumgong was seventh at the highly competitive [[Kenyan Cross Country Championships]] at the start of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mutuota|first=Mutwiri|date=18 February 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/karoki-and-chepkirui-steal-the-headlines-in-n|title=Karoki and Chepkirui steal the headlines in Nairobi|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>


At the [[2012 Boston Marathon]], high-profile withdrawals and hot running conditions worked in her favour as the race came down to a sprint finish against [[Sharon Cherop]], with Sumgong taking the runner-up spot two seconds behind.<ref>{{cite news|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=16 April 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/korir-and-cherop-the-best-as-warm-weather-slo|title=Korir and Cherop the best as warm weather slows Boston|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> Sumgong tested positive for the banned substance [[prednisolone]] in her post-race anti-doping test and was given a two-year ban from competition by [[Athletics Kenya]]. However, she was cleared on appeal by the [[IAAF]] in September 2012, as the local injection which Sumgong had received was permitted under the governing body's rules.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ndanyi |first=Mathews |date=10 September 2012 |url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-3002/ban-rescinded |title=Ban rescinded |work=The Star |access-date=4 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104193415/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-3002/ban-rescinded |archive-date= 4 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cleared to race, Sumgong again finished behind Cherop at that year's [[Philadelphia Half Marathon]], taking third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/biwott-and-cherop-dominate-at-philadelphia-ha|title=Biwott and Cherop dominate at Philadelphia Half Marathon|publisher=IAAF|date=16 September 2012|accessdate=22 January 2013}}</ref>
At the [[2012 Boston Marathon]], high-profile withdrawals and hot running conditions worked in her favour as the race came down to a sprint finish against [[Sharon Cherop]], with Sumgong taking the runner-up spot two seconds behind.<ref>{{cite news|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=16 April 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/korir-and-cherop-the-best-as-warm-weather-slo|title=Korir and Cherop the best as warm weather slows Boston|publisher=IAAF|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Sumgong tested positive for the banned substance [[prednisolone]] in her post-race anti-doping test and was given a two-year ban from competition by [[Athletics Kenya]]. However, she was cleared on appeal by the [[IAAF]] in September 2012, as the local injection which Sumgong had received was permitted under the governing body's rules.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ndanyi |first=Mathews |date=10 September 2012 |url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-3002/ban-rescinded |title=Ban rescinded |work=The Star |access-date=4 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104193415/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-3002/ban-rescinded |archive-date= 4 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cleared to race, Sumgong again finished behind Cherop at that year's [[Philadelphia Half Marathon]], taking third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/biwott-and-cherop-dominate-at-philadelphia-ha|title=Biwott and Cherop dominate at Philadelphia Half Marathon|publisher=IAAF|date=16 September 2012|access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>


===2013===
===2013===
Sumgong was much improved at the 2013 [[Rotterdam Marathon]], as she won the race in a time of 2:23:27 – bettering her previous mark by over six minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=van Hemert|first=Wim|date=14 April 2013 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/regassa-and-jelagat-triumph-in-rotterdam|title=Regassa and Jelagat triumph in Rotterdam]|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> She lowered her personal best for a second time in 2013 – to 2:20:48 hours – in finishing second to her training partner [[Rita Jeptoo]] at the [[Chicago Marathon]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Monti|first=David|url= http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kimetto-smashes-course-record-jeptoo-cracks-2|title=Kimetto smashes course record, Jeptoo cracks 2:20 in Chicago|publisher=IAAF|date=13 October 2013|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref>
Sumgong was much improved at the 2013 [[Rotterdam Marathon]], as she won the race in a time of 2:23:27 – bettering her previous mark by over six minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=van Hemert|first=Wim|date=14 April 2013 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/regassa-and-jelagat-triumph-in-rotterdam|title=Regassa and Jelagat triumph in Rotterdam]|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=18 April 2013}}</ref> She lowered her personal best for a second time in 2013 – to 2:20:48 hours – in finishing second to her training partner [[Rita Jeptoo]] at the [[Chicago Marathon]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Monti|first=David|url= http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kimetto-smashes-course-record-jeptoo-cracks-2|title=Kimetto smashes course record, Jeptoo cracks 2:20 in Chicago|publisher=IAAF|date=13 October 2013|access-date=18 November 2014}}</ref>


===2014===
===2014===
Sumgong finished in fourth place at the [[2014 Boston Marathon|Boston Marathon]] in her fastest ever time of 2:20:41 hours (the downhill and point-to-point nature of the Boston course means that her time is not considered as a personal best).<ref>{{cite news|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=21 April 2014|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/boston-marathon-2014-jeptoo-keflezighi|title=Jeptoo breaks course record with third Boston victory while Keflezighi ends US drought|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=20 November 2014}}</ref> Later in the year, she finished second at the [[2014 New York City Marathon|New York City Marathon]], losing a close battle with compatriot [[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany|Mary Keitany]], whose winning margin of three seconds equalled the narrowest in race history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kipsang-keitany-win-new-york-marathon|title= Kipsang and Keitany win at the New York Marathon|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=2 November 2014|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=20 November 2014}}</ref>
Sumgong finished in fourth place at the [[2014 Boston Marathon|Boston Marathon]] in her fastest ever time of 2:20:41 hours (the downhill and point-to-point nature of the Boston course means that her time is not considered as a personal best).<ref>{{cite news|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=21 April 2014|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/boston-marathon-2014-jeptoo-keflezighi|title=Jeptoo breaks course record with third Boston victory while Keflezighi ends US drought|publisher=IAAF|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> Later in the year, she finished second at the [[2014 New York City Marathon|New York City Marathon]], losing a close battle with compatriot [[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany|Mary Keitany]], whose winning margin of three seconds equalled the narrowest in race history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kipsang-keitany-win-new-york-marathon|title= Kipsang and Keitany win at the New York Marathon|last=Morse|first=Parker|date=2 November 2014|publisher=IAAF|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref>


===2016===
===2016===
On 24 April, she won the [[London Marathon]] with the time of 2:22:58. The event was notable as she fell during the run, but still managed to finish ahead of the rest of the field. On 14 August 2016, she won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics with a time of 2:24:04. Sumgong's 2016 Olympic gold medal is Kenya's first gold medal in the women's Olympic marathon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.omriyadat.com/african-athletics/jemima-jelagat-sumgong-kenya-marathon|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Sumgong wins women's marathon Gold At Rio Olympics 2016|publisher=OmRiyadat English|accessdate=14 August 2016}}</ref>
On 24 April, she won the [[London Marathon]] with the time of 2:22:58. The event was notable as she fell during the run, but still managed to finish ahead of the rest of the field. On 14 August 2016, she won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics with a time of 2:24:04. Sumgong's 2016 Olympic gold medal is Kenya's first gold medal in the women's Olympic marathon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.omriyadat.com/african-athletics/jemima-jelagat-sumgong-kenya-marathon|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Sumgong wins women's marathon Gold At Rio Olympics 2016|publisher=OmRiyadat English|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref>


===Doping case===
===Doping case===
Sumgong was to defend her title at the [[2017 London Marathon]] on April 23, but two weeks prior to the race she was suspended after testing positive for [[erythropoietin]] (EPO) in an out-of-competition test conducted by the [[International Association of Athletics Federations]] (IAAF) in Kenya, announced on April 6, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sport-doping-sumgong-idUSKBN1782Y7 |title=Rio Olympic marathon champion Sumgong fails drugs test: IAAF|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref> She was eventually suspended for 4 years on it was announced on 7 November 2017 and her ban would start from 3 April 2017 which is when she was provisionally suspended. Her doping ban was eventually doubled to 8 years and re-started in January 2019 after it was deemed that she had lied and fabricated her medical records, ruling her out of international competitions until 2027.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/athletics/news/29175/11617608/olympic-marathon-champion-jemima-sumgongs-doping-ban-doubled-to-eight-years|title=Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong's doping ban doubled to eight years|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref> This was her second doping ban in 5 years after she tested positive in 2012 also.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/41903500|title=Jemima Sumgong: Four-year doping ban for Olympic marathon champion|date=2017-11-07|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Sumgong was to defend her title at the [[2017 London Marathon]] on April 23, but two weeks prior to the race she was suspended after testing positive for [[erythropoietin]] (EPO) in an out-of-competition test conducted by the [[International Association of Athletics Federations]] (IAAF) in Kenya, announced on April 6, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sport-doping-sumgong-idUSKBN1782Y7 |title=Rio Olympic marathon champion Sumgong fails drugs test: IAAF|publisher=Reuters|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> She was eventually suspended for 4 years on it was announced on 7 November 2017 and her ban would start from 3 April 2017 which is when she was provisionally suspended. Her doping ban was eventually doubled to 8 years and re-started in January 2019 after it was deemed that she had lied and fabricated her medical records, ruling her out of international competitions until 2027.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/athletics/news/29175/11617608/olympic-marathon-champion-jemima-sumgongs-doping-ban-doubled-to-eight-years|title=Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong's doping ban doubled to eight years|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref> This was her second doping ban in 5 years after she tested positive in 2012 also.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/41903500|title=Jemima Sumgong: Four-year doping ban for Olympic marathon champion|date=2017-11-07|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:21, 25 January 2021

Jemima Sumgong
Sumgong at the 2016 Olympics
Personal information
Full nameJemima Jelagat Sumgong[1]
NationalityKenyan
Born (1984-12-21) 21 December 1984 (age 40)
Nandi District, Kenya
Height160 cm (5 ft 3 in)[2]
Weight45 kg (99 lb)
SpouseNoah Talam[1]
Sport
SportTrack & field
EventMarathon
Coached byClaudio Beradelli[1]
Achievements and titles
Personal best2:20:41[1]
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Marathon
Updated on 15 August 2016

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong (born 21 December 1984) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in marathon races.

She has won the London, Rotterdam and Las Vegas Marathons, and has finished runner-up at the Boston, Chicago and New York City Marathons. She has a personal best of 2:20:48 hours for the distance. In the 2016 Olympic Games, at age 31, she won the marathon in warm conditions with a time of 2:24:04 hours, becoming the first female winner from Kenya since women's marathon was introduced to the Olympics in 1984. Sumgong received an 8 year ban (until 2027), after she was tested positive for the banned substance EPO, fabricated her medical records and lied about her whereabouts after the positive test.

Career

Early career

Hailing from the Nandi District in Kenya, Sumgong began to compete abroad in 2004. In one of her first elite races, she came second at the Gothenburg Half Marathon.[3] She started to establish herself as a runner on the American road circuit in 2005. She won the Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon and Maggie Valley Moonlight Run that year.[4][5] Further victories followed in 2006, as she won the Get In Gear 10K in Minneapolis, the Cleveland 10K and the Wharf to Wharf 6-Miler.[6][7][8] She ran a 15K personal best of 49:39 minutes at the Utica Boilermaker in July and, that November, she ran the fastest ever half marathon in Trinidad and Tobago, winning a race in Saint Augustine in 1:12:08 hours.[9][10]

Sumgong's first marathon came at the Las Vegas Marathon in 2006 and she won on her first attempt, taking the women's title in a time of 2:35:22 hours.[11] She came third at the Azalea Trail Run the following year.[9] She made her European debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Marathon and she came fourth in an improved time of 2:29:41 hours.[12] Her next outing over the distance came at the San Diego Marathon and she was runner-up in 2:30:18 hours behind Yulia Gromova.[13] She signed up to work for the Kenyan Armed Forces in 2009. Taking a break from running, she married Noah Talam (another Kenyan marathon runner) and the couple later had a daughter in 2011. Having missed the 2009 season, she returned in 2010 and was runner-up at the San Blas Half Marathon, fifth at the Berlin Half Marathon and fifth at the San Diego Marathon.[9]

After the birth of her daughter, Sumgong made a successful return in December 2011 at the Castellón Marathon, which she won in a personal best of 2:28:32 hours.[14]

2012

Sumgong was seventh at the highly competitive Kenyan Cross Country Championships at the start of 2012.[15]

At the 2012 Boston Marathon, high-profile withdrawals and hot running conditions worked in her favour as the race came down to a sprint finish against Sharon Cherop, with Sumgong taking the runner-up spot two seconds behind.[16] Sumgong tested positive for the banned substance prednisolone in her post-race anti-doping test and was given a two-year ban from competition by Athletics Kenya. However, she was cleared on appeal by the IAAF in September 2012, as the local injection which Sumgong had received was permitted under the governing body's rules.[17] Cleared to race, Sumgong again finished behind Cherop at that year's Philadelphia Half Marathon, taking third place.[18]

2013

Sumgong was much improved at the 2013 Rotterdam Marathon, as she won the race in a time of 2:23:27 – bettering her previous mark by over six minutes.[19] She lowered her personal best for a second time in 2013 – to 2:20:48 hours – in finishing second to her training partner Rita Jeptoo at the Chicago Marathon.[20]

2014

Sumgong finished in fourth place at the Boston Marathon in her fastest ever time of 2:20:41 hours (the downhill and point-to-point nature of the Boston course means that her time is not considered as a personal best).[21] Later in the year, she finished second at the New York City Marathon, losing a close battle with compatriot Mary Keitany, whose winning margin of three seconds equalled the narrowest in race history.[22]

2016

On 24 April, she won the London Marathon with the time of 2:22:58. The event was notable as she fell during the run, but still managed to finish ahead of the rest of the field. On 14 August 2016, she won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics with a time of 2:24:04. Sumgong's 2016 Olympic gold medal is Kenya's first gold medal in the women's Olympic marathon.[23]

Doping case

Sumgong was to defend her title at the 2017 London Marathon on April 23, but two weeks prior to the race she was suspended after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in an out-of-competition test conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in Kenya, announced on April 6, 2017.[24] She was eventually suspended for 4 years on it was announced on 7 November 2017 and her ban would start from 3 April 2017 which is when she was provisionally suspended. Her doping ban was eventually doubled to 8 years and re-started in January 2019 after it was deemed that she had lied and fabricated her medical records, ruling her out of international competitions until 2027.[25] This was her second doping ban in 5 years after she tested positive in 2012 also.[26]

References

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  11. ^ Kahugu, Jelagat Win New Las Vegas Marathon. Running USA/Cal Track (15 December 2006). Retrieved 26 April 2012.
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  14. ^ Maratón Ciudad de Castellón Results, New For Both Men And Women. Run Infinity (13 December 2012). Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  15. ^ Mutuota, Mutwiri (18 February 2012). "Karoki and Chepkirui steal the headlines in Nairobi". IAAF. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
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  18. ^ "Biwott and Cherop dominate at Philadelphia Half Marathon". IAAF. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
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  22. ^ Morse, Parker (2 November 2014). "Kipsang and Keitany win at the New York Marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  23. ^ "Rio Olympics 2016: Sumgong wins women's marathon Gold At Rio Olympics 2016". OmRiyadat English. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  24. ^ "Rio Olympic marathon champion Sumgong fails drugs test: IAAF". Reuters. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  25. ^ "Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong's doping ban doubled to eight years". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Jemima Sumgong: Four-year doping ban for Olympic marathon champion". BBC Sport. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.