New York Marathon Winner Korir Hit With Provisional Doping Ban
Albert Korir, the 2021 New York City Marathon champion, has been provisionally suspended after returning a positive test for a banned substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on January 12, 2026. The Kenyan long-distance runner tested positive for CERA, a prohibited endurance-boosting drug, during an out-of-competition control.
The 31-year-old, one of the most consistent performers in New York with several podium finishes over the past six years, is barred from competing while investigations continue. “The presence of a prohibited substance constitutes a violation of anti-doping rules,” the AIU said in a statement.
Korir has not yet publicly responded to the suspension, which threatens to derail a career highlighted by major marathon success. The case adds to growing concerns around doping in Kenyan athletics, where authorities have intensified testing and enforcement in recent seasons.
If found guilty, Korir could face a lengthy ban, casting doubt over his future in elite marathon racing.