British marathon runner Joshua Griffiths has been banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.
On May 3, 2026, he was tested at the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon. A month later, the sample was tested in London and found to contain Benzoylecgonine, which is a metabolite of cocaine. During the following months and into September, Griffiths requested extensions to prove his innocence.
In the end, he admitted fault to avoid a full suspension from the sport. He did, however, demonstrate through science and probabilities that the stimulant was not taken leading up to or during the race weekend and not for athletic performance.
Griffiths was given a three-month suspension, from June to September 2026.
The Swansea Harriers member owns a marathon personal best of 2:11:28 from Seville in 2022. His 2:18:01 from Belfast will be disqualified.
