New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir has been handed a five-year ban after testing positive for CERA across three separate out-of-competition samples in October 2025.

Here’s what you need to know:

– Korir, 31, tested positive in urine and blood samples collected on October 3, 13, and 21, 2025, all in Kenya

– The banned substance was CERA (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta) is an EPO-based blood booster prohibited at all times.

– Testing was conducted by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK); samples were analyzed at a WADA-accredited lab in Stockholm

How the ban was determined:

– Base sanction: 4 years (non-specified substance, intentional violation)

– Bumped to 6 years due to aggravating circumstances (use on multiple occasions)

– Reduced to 5 years after Korir admitted the violations within four days of being notified

What happens now?

Korir is suspended through January 7, 2031. All results since October 3, 2025 (including any medals, prize money, and appearance fees) are forfeited. This would include his 2:08:57, 3rd place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon. Third place at the New York City Marathon pays out $40,000.

WADA and ADAK retain the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The revised results of the 2025 New York City Marathon and the correlated prize money:

1 – 🇰🇪 Benson Kipruto – 2:08:09 ($100,000)

2 – 🇰🇪 Alexander Mutiso – 2:08:09 ($60,000)

3 – 🇬🇧 Patrick Dever – 2:08:58 ($40,000)

4 – 🇨🇭 Matthias Kyburz – 2:09:55 ($25,000)

5 – 🇺🇸 Joel Reichow – 2:09:56 ($15,000)

6 – 🇺🇸 Charles Hicks – 2:09:59 ($10,000)

7 – 🇳🇴 Sondre Nordstad Moen – 2:10:15 ($7,500)

8 – 🇪🇷 Tsehay Weldlibanos – 2:10:36 ($5,000)

9 – 🇺🇸 Joe Klecker – 2:10:37 ($2,500)

10 – 🇮🇹 Daniele Meucci – 2:10:40 ($2,000)

PUMA Elite’s Patrick Dever will be upgraded to third place and becomes the first Brit since Paul Evans’ runner-up finish in 1995 to reach the podium.