Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova beat Kiplagat to scoop the $500,00 series jackpot in 2010/2011, and the Kenyan runner finished second in the rankings to compatriot Rita Jeptoo in 2013/2014. Both women were later suspended for doping.
Kiplagat said her drive has been dented by losing out to drugs cheats in the World Marathon Majors, a series comprising big-city marathon events in New York, London, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo and Berlin.
Race organisers and World Marathon Majors officials have tried to get prize money back from Shobukhova and Jeptoo, but it was not clear if they have done so.
Failed tests by Jeptoo, Shobukhova and several other top runners have cast a pall over athletics in recent years. The sport has also been hit by allegations of corruption within the world governing body, the IAAF.
Kiplagat, 36, said she will not run any road races this year as she was focused on winning a spot on Kenya’s marathon team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“My major marathon is set for April to enable me qualify for Olympics. This year’s Olympics remain my main goal,” she said, without elaborating which marathon she will be running in April.
Kiplagat, the winner of London and New York marathons, said many Kenyans are worried the east African nation’s reputation has been tarnished.
“We want to change the image Kenyan athletics acquired last year following a few cases of doping,” she said. “We want to bring back our (good) image.”
(Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Dominic Evans)