Haven't been able find independently, but Salomon Running IG reporting just now that the female winner of OCC (and other high profile races), Joyline Chepngeno, returned a positive anti-doping test for "injected painkillers in the form of corticoids," and Salomon has terminated its sponsorship of her effective immediately.
Last year she won Sierre Zinal out of nowhere..it was her first trail race. If you know Sierre Zinal (and also OCC of course) it's where the crème de la crème of elite trail runners meet..it's so so competitive and you don't just win that without years and years of trail experience. Man it sucks that trail running is getting doped to the gills now as well ughhh.
So, what's more commonly referred to as a cortisone shot, typically in an enflamed tendon or joint? Aren't these allowed in many cases, perhaps with a TUE? Not directly performance enhancing, but they improve performance from the standpoint of allowing one to train more.
The rules are the rules, but this is not EPO or anabolic steroid use.
Edit: okay, I see they can have some positive energy metabolism impacts, so directly performance enhancing, if used correctly for that purpose. The details and backstory here (possible excuses) will be interesting.
This post was edited 12 minutes after it was posted.
): 09/09/2025 Joyline Chepngeno KEN Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Triamcinolone acetonide) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2) 2 years [ban] from 8 September 2025 DQ results since 9 August 2025
So, what's more commonly referred to as a cortisone shot, typically in an enflamed tendon or joint? Aren't these allowed in many cases, perhaps with a TUE? Not directly performance enhancing, but they improve performance from the standpoint of allowing one to train more.
The rules are the rules, but this is not EPO or anabolic steroid use.
Edit: okay, I see they can have some positive energy metabolism impacts, so directly performance enhancing, if used correctly for that purpose. The details and backstory here (possible excuses) will be interesting.
Why not get a TUE then? Why have someone stick a needle in you and you claim you don't know what's in it? How many shots of unknown substance has she had then? If you're an elite athlete that's either dumb and unprofession or you know exactly what it's for.
Agree...I remember watching her last year and thinking WTH...she came out of nowhere. I believe she had last competed as a school aged cross country runner or some such event. The times are getting very fast on these courses, records seemingly every year now and my only thought is that PEDs have finally made there way into the game.
So, what's more commonly referred to as a cortisone shot, typically in an enflamed tendon or joint? Aren't these allowed in many cases, perhaps with a TUE? Not directly performance enhancing, but they improve performance from the standpoint of allowing one to train more.
The rules are the rules, but this is not EPO or anabolic steroid use.
Edit: okay, I see they can have some positive energy metabolism impacts, so directly performance enhancing, if used correctly for that purpose. The details and backstory here (possible excuses) will be interesting.
Yeah Lance Armstrong was only using cortisone cream for saddle sores ... oh wait!
So, what's more commonly referred to as a cortisone shot, typically in an enflamed tendon or joint? Aren't these allowed in many cases, perhaps with a TUE? Not directly performance enhancing, but they improve performance from the standpoint of allowing one to train more.
The rules are the rules, but this is not EPO or anabolic steroid use.
Edit: okay, I see they can have some positive energy metabolism impacts, so directly performance enhancing, if used correctly for that purpose. The details and backstory here (possible excuses) will be interesting.
Why not get a TUE then? Why have someone stick a needle in you and you claim you don't know what's in it? How many shots of unknown substance has she had then? If you're an elite athlete that's either dumb and unprofession or you know exactly what it's for.
If the test was taken in competition there is no TUE for kenacort (trade name). You have to be clear 30 days prior to competition. This rule came about from the tour de france riders injecting 10 days out with a TUE. Kenacort is most definitely providing very strong ped effects at 10 days. I don't think this drug is wildly suited to ultras to be honest, much better for stage races on the bike or to dull the legs in a marathon. Ultra running intensities are quite low relatively speaking and the physical pain from the shear miles, although persistent, isn't that great on a 1-10. She'd have been better off with something like EPO for the altitude with testosterone in training for the recovery benefits and a handful of diclofenec during the race (don't die from kidney failure kids). The stupidity is quite baffling.
That is also a common PED for Kenyan distance runners. Other banned Kenyans include Boston champ Kipyokei, 2:02 runner Ekiru, and another Sierre-Zinal winner, Kangogo.
Last but not least, the first positive tests of Lance Armstrong (1999 TdF, covered up with a backdated TUE), were also for triamcinolone acetonide (a corticosteroid).
Why not get a TUE then? Why have someone stick a needle in you and you claim you don't know what's in it? How many shots of unknown substance has she had then? If you're an elite athlete that's either dumb and unprofession or you know exactly what it's for.
If the test was taken in competition there is no TUE for kenacort (trade name). You have to be clear 30 days prior to competition. This rule came about from the tour de france riders injecting 10 days out with a TUE. Kenacort is most definitely providing very strong ped effects at 10 days. I don't think this drug is wildly suited to ultras to be honest, much better for stage races on the bike or to dull the legs in a marathon. Ultra running intensities are quite low relatively speaking and the physical pain from the shear miles, although persistent, isn't that great on a 1-10. She'd have been better off with something like EPO for the altitude with testosterone in training for the recovery benefits and a handful of diclofenec during the race (don't die from kidney failure kids). The stupidity is quite baffling.
I follow the sport pretty closely so figured it's worth chiming in here. Joyline is primarily a sub ultra runner, although that line gets blurry on the trails.
The Golden Trail series, which she primarily competes in, is not a stage race but has a very very high density of marathon-esque competitions in close proximity. Think racing 2 marathons/month all summer with a ton of ascending/descending.
It actually sounds like the perfect PED for her to have been taking for a performance boost given how you're describing it.
If the test was taken in competition there is no TUE for kenacort (trade name). You have to be clear 30 days prior to competition. This rule came about from the tour de france riders injecting 10 days out with a TUE. Kenacort is most definitely providing very strong ped effects at 10 days. I don't think this drug is wildly suited to ultras to be honest, much better for stage races on the bike or to dull the legs in a marathon. Ultra running intensities are quite low relatively speaking and the physical pain from the shear miles, although persistent, isn't that great on a 1-10. She'd have been better off with something like EPO for the altitude with testosterone in training for the recovery benefits and a handful of diclofenec during the race (don't die from kidney failure kids). The stupidity is quite baffling.
EPO is very hard to catch. No one in their right mind will have that in their system on race day. Athletes are usually busted for something else they are taking. I wouldn’t assume for a second this was the only thing she was on.
Haven't been able find independently, but Salomon Running IG reporting just now that the female winner of OCC (and other high profile races), Joyline Chepngeno, returned a positive anti-doping test for "injected painkillers in the form of corticoids," and Salomon has terminated its sponsorship of her effective immediately.
Having read the AIU decision, it's interesting that she immediately apologized for the violation and said she didn't realize it was a violation, and signed and returned an admission promptly. Not sure whether I view that as good (she made a mistake and immediately owned up to it), or bad (someone told her to fess up and not raise a stink so her ban would be shorter).