Russia's Aryasova Stripped Of Tokyo Marathon Title

Tokyo, Jan 26: Russian runner Tatiana Aryasova has been stripped of her 2011 Tokyo Marathon title after testing positive for a banned substance.

Aryasova tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in a urine sample taken after she won the Tokyo race in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 29 seconds on February 27.

The Tokyo Marathon Foundation stripped Aryasova of her title after she failed to challenge a two-year doping ban by the International Association of Athletics Federation during an appeal period which ended last week.

Japan's Noriko Higuchi, who finished second, was awarded the victory with a time of 2:28:49. Russia's Tatyana Petrova moved into the runner-up position after finishing with a time of 2:28:56.

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency said HES is used to conceal blood doping.