Three-time Boston Marathon champion Rita Bushenei Jeptoo made her return to running during the inaugural Nairobi City Marathon on Sunday 8th in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
The former Chicago marathon champion finished in position six at the marathon dubbed Uhuru Classic in a race won by Agnes Barsosio on the fastest course.
The former queen of marathon returns into action after serving her two year ban by Athletics Kenya way back in 2014 for use of Erythropoietin (EPO), a banned substance by World Anti-Doping (WADA).
Despite her appeal, the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) upheld an appeal from the IAAF against the leniency of the two-year ban given by Athletics Kenya on 26 October 2016 and instead set a four-year ban.
The 41-year-old athlete who was the oldest on the start list of the Uhuru Classic defied all odds as she fought for honors using her vast running experience on the road with her first race since her four-year ban.
The former Paris marathon winner made her return, enjoying her personal best of 2:19.57 she set in the 2013 Chicago marathon with a title.
The 2004 Milano City Marathon champion crossed the line in a time of 2:33.06.
The race was won by Barsosio in a time of 2:24.45 with Shyline Jepkorir Toroitich coming home second in 2:29.04 with Sharon Jemutai Cherop closing the podium in 2:29.37
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