Titus Ekiru

Titus Ekiru
Personal information
Born (1992-01-02) 2 January 1992 (age 32)
Sport
CountryKenya
SportLong-distance running
Medal record
Men's long-distance running
Representing  Kenya
African Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Rabat Half marathon

Titus Ekiru (born 2 January 1992) is a Kenyan long-distance runner. He represented Kenya at the 2019 African Games and he won the men's half marathon with a time of 1:01:42.[1][2] He became the first Kenyan to win this event at the African Games.[1] This was also a new African Games record.

In 2023, Ekiru was banned from competition for ten years backdated to 2021 for breaching both doping and tampering rules following testing at the Milan and Abu Dhabi marathons held in 2021.[3] The investigation also indicated collusion with a doctor at a Kenyan hospital.[4]

Career

In 2017, he won the Seville Marathon in Seville, Spain with a time of 2:07:42.

In 2018, he won the Honolulu Marathon with a time of 2:09:01 and the half marathon event of the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon with a time of 1:01:02. He also won the Mexico City Marathon event with a new course record of 2:10:38.

In 2019, he won the Milano City Marathon and he set a new course record of 2:04:46.[5] In that year, he also won the Portugal Half Marathon and he set a new course record of 1:00:12. In December 2019, he won the Honolulu Marathon for the 2nd time with a new course record of 2:07:59.[6]

During 2021 Ekiru participated in both the Milano City Marathon and the Abu Dhabi Marathon and at the time was recorded at the winner in the races. However in 2023, his was disqualified from both races following a doping and tampering ban linked to those marathons.[7]

Doping ban

In 2023, the AIU suspended Ekiru for two counts for the use of prohibited substances (triamcinolone acetonide and pethidine) and two counts of tampering for submitting falsified medical records and documentation for the two positive tests.[8] He is banned for 10 years and all results from May 16, 2021 were disqualified. [3]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Kenya
2016 Casablanca Marathon Casablanca, Morocco 2nd Marathon 2:15:43
2017 Seville Marathon Seville, Spain 1st Marathon 2:07:42
Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 4th Marathon 2:12:19
2018 Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon San Diego, United States 1st Half marathon 1:01:02
Mexico City Marathon Mexico City, Mexico 1st Marathon 2:10:38
Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 1st Marathon 2:09:01
2019 Milano City Marathon Milano, Italy 1st Marathon 2:04:46
African Games Rabat, Morocco 1st Half marathon 1:01:42
Portugal Half Marathon Lisbon, Portugal 1st Half marathon 1:00:12
Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 1st Marathon 2:07:59
2021 Milano City Marathon Milano, Italy DQ Marathon DQ (2:02:57)
Abu Dhabi Marathon Abu Dhabi, UAE DQ Marathon DQ (2:06:13)

References

  1. ^ a b Etchells, Daniel (30 August 2019). "Ekiru makes history as Kenya rocket up medal standings on last day of athletics at African Games". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ "2019 African Games – Athletics – Results Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Kenyan marathon runner Titus Ekiru receives 10-year ban". Reuters. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. ^ Adams, Tim (16 October 2023). "Kenyan marathon runner Titus Ekiru receives 10-year ban". Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Ekiru, Kiplagat shatter Italian all-comers records in Milan". The Star (Kenya). 8 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Kenya's Titus Ekiru and Margaret Muriuki earn Honolulu Marathon wins". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Korir and Ekiru dominate in Abu Dhabi". World Athletics. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Kenyan Marathoner Titus Ekiru Faces 10-Year Ban After Positive Tests And Forged Medical Documents". 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2023-10-30.