Kenyan marathon runner Albert Korir has been banned for five years after admitting to the use of a performance-enhancing drug, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has confirmed.
The AIU says Korir, who won the New York City Marathon in 2021, tested positive for a synthetic form of erythropoietin (EPO) during an out-of-competition test conducted in Kenya in October 2025. The substance is known to boost red blood cell production, giving athletes an unfair endurance advantage
The Athletics Integrity Unit said in its verdict all his results since October will be disqualified, including his third-place finish in New York last November
The 32-year-old Korir’s ban expires in January 2031. The ban was shortened by one year because he admitted his doping without requesting a hearing, the verdict said.
Korir will be allowed to keep his 2021 New York title. He also finished runner-up in 2019 and 2023, and third in 2024.
