Former New York Marathon champion Albert Korir has been banned from competition for five years after admitting to using a prohibited substance.

The 32-year-old Kenyan long-distance athlete tested positive for CERA, a powerful blood-boosting drug, in three separate out-of-competition tests conducted in October 2025. As a result, all of his performances since that time have been wiped, including his third-place finish at the New York Marathon last November.

The Athletics Integrity Unit says the repeated positive tests point to clear use of a banned substance. Korir’s suspension will run until January 7, 2031, with a reduced sentence after he admits to the violations.

Korir had built an impressive record in New York, finishing second in 2019 before winning the race in 2021, and returning to the podium in both 2023 and 2024.

This comes months after fellow Kenyan star Ruth Chepngetich was also banned following anti-doping breaches.