Betty Lempus

Betty Lempus

Personal information
Birth name	Betty Wilson Lempus
Nationality	Kenyan
Born	(1991-07-09) July 9, 1991 (age 34) Kenya
Occupation	Long-distance runner
Years active	2017–2021 (active competitive period before ban)
Sport
Country	Kenya
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Marathon, Half marathon, 10 km road
Achievements and titles
Personal bests	Marathon: 2:23:40 (Shanghai, 2018) Half Marathon: 1:05:46 (Paris, 2021) 10 km road: 32:42 (Piacenza, 2018)

Betty Lempus (born 9 July 1991), also known as Betty Wilson Lempus, is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon and half marathon. She achieved notable international success in road racing before receiving a five-year ban for an anti-doping rule violation and tampering with the doping control process.

Career

Lempus began competing internationally around 2017, quickly making a mark in long-distance road events. In 2018, she set her personal best in the marathon, finishing third at the Shanghai International Marathon with a time of 2:23:40. Her progress continued with a win at the 2019 Cracovia Half Marathon.

On 5 September 2021, she delivered a career-defining performance by winning the Paris Half Marathon in 1:05:46—a new personal best and course record. ^{[1] [2]}

Doping ban

Lempus's 2021 Paris victory led to an anti-doping investigation. In August 2022, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that she had tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a prohibited glucocorticoid, from an in-competition sample taken during the Paris Half Marathon.

Further investigation by the AIU, in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), revealed that Lempus submitted falsified medical documents in an attempt to justify the presence of the substance. A hospital superintendent confirmed the documents were fabricated and that no such treatment had been administered.

Confronted with the evidence, Lempus admitted to both the doping and tampering charges. She was handed a five-year ban from competition, effective from 14 October 2022 until 14 October 2027. All results from 5 September 2021 onward, including her Paris win, were disqualified. ^{[3] [2] [4]}

Personal bests

• Marathon: 2:23:40 – Shanghai, China, 18 November 2018 ^[1]
• Half Marathon: 1:05:46 – Paris, France, 5 September 2021 (disqualified) ^[2]
• Half Marathon: 1:09:25 – Lisbon, Portugal, 19 March 2017 ^[1]
• 10 Kilometres Road: 32:42 – Piacenza, Italy, 22 September 2018 ^[1]
• 5 Kilometres Road: 16:32 – Bolzano, Italy, 31 December 2017 ^[1]

References

1. "Betty Wilson LEMPUS – Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
2. "Paris Half Marathon champion banned five years for multiple doping violations". Canadian Running Magazine. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
3. "DECISION OF THE ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNIT IN THE CASE OF MS BETTY WILSON LEMPUS" (PDF). Athletics Integrity Unit. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
4. "Lempus latest Kenyan to be banned by AIU on tampering charges". InsideTheGames.biz. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2025.

External links

• Betty Lempus at World Athletics