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.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
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| Born | 2 January 1992 | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||
| Country | Kenya | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Long-distance running | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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
editIn 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
editIn 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
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Kenya
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| 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
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "2019 African Games – Athletics – Results Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Kenyan marathon runner Titus Ekiru receives 10-year ban". Reuters. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ Adams, Tim (16 October 2023). "Kenyan marathon runner Titus Ekiru receives 10-year ban". Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Ekiru, Kiplagat shatter Italian all-comers records in Milan". The Star (Kenya). 8 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ "Kenya's Titus Ekiru and Margaret Muriuki earn Honolulu Marathon wins". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ "Korir and Ekiru dominate in Abu Dhabi". World Athletics. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Kenyan Marathoner Titus Ekiru Faces 10-Year Ban After Positive Tests And Forged Medical Documents". 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
