Betty Lempus

{{Infobox sportsperson | name = Betty Lempus | birth_name = Betty Wilson Lempus | nationality = Kenyan | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|07|09}} | birth_place = Kenya | occupation = Long-distance runner | years_active = 2017–2021 (active competitive period before ban) | country = {{KEN}} | sport = Athletics | event = Marathon, Half marathon, 10 km road | pb = * '''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.<ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile"/><ref name="RunningMagazineBan"/>

== 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.<ref name="AIUBanDetails"/><ref name="RunningMagazineBan"/><ref name="InsideTheGamesTampering"/>

== Personal bests == * Marathon: 2:23:40 – Shanghai, China, 18 November 2018<ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile"/> * Half Marathon: 1:05:46 – Paris, France, 5 September 2021 ('''disqualified''')<ref name="RunningMagazineBan"/> * Half Marathon: 1:09:25 – Lisbon, Portugal, 19 March 2017<ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile"/> * 10 Kilometres Road: 32:42 – Piacenza, Italy, 22 September 2018<ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile"/> * 5 Kilometres Road: 16:32 – Bolzano, Italy, 31 December 2017<ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile"/>

== References == {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="WorldAthleticsProfile">{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/betty-wilson-lempus-14725867 |title=Betty Wilson LEMPUS – Profile |publisher=World Athletics |access-date=22 July 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="RunningMagazineBan">{{cite web |url=https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/paris-half-marathon-champion-banned-five-years-for-cortisol/ |title=Paris Half Marathon champion banned five years for multiple doping violations |publisher=Canadian Running Magazine |date=26 January 2023 |access-date=22 July 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="AIUBanDetails">{{cite web |url=https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/downloads/pdfs/disciplinary-process/en/AIU-22-244-Betty-Wilson-LEMPUS-Decision.pdf |title=DECISION OF THE ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNIT IN THE CASE OF MS BETTY WILSON LEMPUS |publisher=Athletics Integrity Unit |date=26 January 2023 |access-date=22 July 2025 }}</ref>

<ref name="InsideTheGamesTampering">{{cite web |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1132961/betty-wilson-lempus-tampering-doping |title=Lempus latest Kenyan to be banned by AIU on tampering charges |publisher=InsideTheGames.biz |date=26 January 2023 |access-date=22 July 2025 }}</ref> }}

== External links == * {{World Athletics profile|id=14725867|name=Betty Lempus}}

{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lempus, Betty}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Kenyan women long-distance runners Category:Kenyan women marathon runners