The China Anti-Doping Agency recently published information that middle- and long-distance runner Zhu Hongyu has an anti-doping violation.
The report shows he tested positive in an in-competition doping control conducted at the 2026 National Athletics Regional Invitation Meet (two stages). The A-sample urine tested positive for a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activator (roxadustat).
01
Violation and Sanctions
At the sixth stage regional invitation meet he ran the men's 3000m steeplechase, finishing second with a time of 9:24.02.
Roxadustat is listed in the 2026 Prohibited List as a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activator (non-specified substance) and is prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition.
After preliminary review, Zhu Hongyu did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for roxadustat and is therefore suspected of an anti-doping rule violation.
Under the regulations, a first anti-doping violation may carry a four-year ban. If the violation is proven to be unintentional, the ban may be reduced to two years; if there are aggravating circumstances, the ban could be increased to six years.
02
Past Results
Zhu Hongyu is currently provisionally suspended. His coach is Shi Peng. Coach Shi also coaches Liu Dezhu (800m), Xie Tao (800m), and Wang Jiahao (1500m).
Zhu Hongyu is from Sichuan, a middle-distance runner specializing in the 1500m, and he just turned 20 this year. He was registered in Shanghai in 2025 and in Sichuan in 2026.
800m PB 1:52.13 (2025.6.24)
1500m PB 3:48.03 (2026.4.28)
3000m steeplechase 9:11.42 (2026.4.29)
On March 21, at the 2026 National Trail Running Championships (Stage 3), he finished 28th in the men's senior professional 6 km trail race with a time of 20:38.
What do you think? This has been circulating within the community for some time — what will the final sanction be?
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Text/Editor: Trail Running Big Bang / Cia
Images: Trail Running Big Bang
Design: Max
