Mohamed Aagab of Campbellton, N.B., has received a three-year suspension

The reigning Vancouver and Montreal Half Marathon champion, Mohamed Aagab of Campbellton, N.B., has received a three-year suspension for an anti-doping rule violation by the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

Aagab provided a urine sample after winning the 2023 BMO Vancouver Half Marathon on May 7, which revealed the presence of recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO), a prohibited peptide hormone used to improve performance by increasing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen.

Aagab was born in Morocco but has lived in Campbellton, N.B., since 2018. He won the Quebec City Marathon in 2018 and the 2023 21K de Montréal, as well as the 2023 BMO Vancouver Half Marathon.

According to CCES, on Oct. 3, Aagab signed an Early Admission and Acceptance Agreement, admitting to the violation and accepting the period of ineligibility and all other consequences. As a result, the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility was reduced by one year, in accordance with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). Aagab’s three-year suspension, effective Sept. 12, 2023, terminates on Sept. 11, 2026.

Aagab competed twice after his positive test on May 7, finishing 15th overall at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon in 2:18:34, finishing one spot behind top Canadian Lee Wesselius, who was 14th. He also ran in a 5,000m at the Hub City Classic in Moncton, N.B. on June 10, where he finished third, in 15:27. Both results will be disqualified, along with his Vancouver Half Marathon win.

In a statement to Canadian Running, Aagab’s agent, Yanatan Wegayehu, voiced disappointment with Aagab’s choices. “I was not aware that Mohamed ran the Vancouver half until I saw the results. His poor choices have negatively affected not only his career but also those around him,” said Wegayehu.

During the sanction period, Aagab is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP, including training with teammates.

This is the first distance running anti-doping case in Canada since David Freake of St. John’s, N.L. was given a four-year doping ban when he tested positive for EPO and several other banned substances after the 2019 Ottawa Marathon.

posted Wednesday November 8th
by Marley Dickinson