In this bonus episode, Michael Doyle is joined by running legend and journalist Amby Burfoot to unpack Thursday's massive news: the shocking doping suspension of Ruth Chepngetich, the marathon world record holder who ran an eye-popping 2:09:56 in Chicago last fall. 

The two dive deep into the initial reactions to the Athletics Integrity Unit’s charges (00:00 ), break down what hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is and why it’s banned (06:00 ), and question how a ratified world record might be revoked (13:45 ). 

They walk through a full timeline of Chepngetich’s performances and testing, including a suspicious half marathon result in Lisbon (17:00 ) and her quiet withdrawal from the London Marathon (20:45 ). Michael and Amby explore who bears responsibility beyond the athlete—agents, brands, the World Marathon Majors, and even Nike (23:30 ), while also asking whether the sport has a leadership vacuum (29:30 ). 

The conversation then turns toward the legacy of Chepngetich’s 2:09 (35:10 ), the damage this scandal could do to the credibility of women’s running and East African dominance in distance running (38:00 ), and how this moment echoes the fallout of Ben Johnson’s 1988 Olympic doping case (40:00 ). They also critique the failings of current testing systems and the prevalence of repeat-offender agents like Federico Rosa (44:30 ). The episode closes with a call for systemic reform in marathon oversight, greater transparency, and sustainable investment in clean sport from brands and race organizers (51:00 ).