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Liliya Shobukhova ordered to repay London Marathon prize money

Liliya Shobukhova of Russia crosses the finish line to win the womens section of the 2010 London Marathon.
Image: Liliya Shobukhova of Russia crosses the finish line to win the women's section of the 2010 London Marathon

Russian runner Liliya Shobukhova has been ordered to repay almost £378,000 to the organisers of the London Marathon after being banned for doping.

Shobukhova was paid the money in appearance fees and prize money for the races in 2010, which she won, and 2011.

She was subsequently banned for three years and two months after abnormalities were detected in her biological passport, although the ban was later reduced by seven months and ended last August.

In a judgement on Tuesday, the British High Court ordered Shobukhova to repay the sum of £377,961.62 plus costs to London Marathon Events.

The company's chief executive Nick Bitel said: "The next step is to get the judgement enforced in Russia. It will be a long and difficult process but we will pursue it as we are determined that cheats should not benefit.

"Any money we get back will be redistributed to the athletes that Shobukhova cheated out of their rightful dues.

"We are determined to make marathon-running a safe haven from doping. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure cheats are caught and do not benefit from cheating.

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"In addition to testing operated by the IAAF and national federations, the Abbott World Marathon Majors has set up one of the largest private testing pool of athletes in sport, with 150 competitors being tested out of competition a minimum of six times a year for their unique athlete biological passport."

Although her official ban is over, Shobukhova is banned for life from competing in the London Marathon and any of the other Marathon Majors.