Viola Jepchumba banned for using EPO

Former Prague half marathon champion Viola Jepchumba has been banned by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for testing positive of Erythropoietin (EPO).

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The Kenyan born turned Bahrain, who has dominated Kenyan local races, winning University of Eldoret 10km road race among others was banned for four years for use of prohibited substances in competition testing.

AIU issued the final verdict on its website stating the ban. Tests carried out on the athlete between 28^th August 2017 and 30^th September 2017 revealed that the athlete has been using the banned enhancing drug.

Jepchumba won the 2016 Prague Half marathon with a course record of 65:51, which was a surprise to many.

The same year (2016), Jepchumba won the Cardiff half marathon, the same course that world half marathon race was hosted with Peres Jepchirchir won, leading a podium finish for all Kenyan contingent with Cynthia Limo taking silver and Mary Wacera with bronze.