Report: World Marathon Majors Races to Support New Anti-Doping Facility

World Marathon Majors champ Rita Jeptoo is under fire after failing a test for EPO in September.

The six members of the World Marathon Majors series have pledged their support of a new anti-doping facility in Eastern Africa, according to a report.

The Boston Herald spoke with representatives from the Boston Marathon, which is part of the group of six races.

“We’re taking a strong stand on this,’’ Boston Marathon executive director Thomas Grilk said. “We want to make sure our sport is clean.’’

According to the Herald, representatives from each of the races were at a recent meeting in Orlando, Fla. They all agreed to financially support the building of a new testing facility in Africa they hope will continue to fight doping in the sport.

Rita Jeptoo, who won her third Boston Marathon title last year, came under fire after it was revealed she failed a test for banned blood-booster EPO in September. The 33-year-old went on to win the Chicago Marathon later in the fall before the test results were released.

RELATED: Athletics Kenya Says Rita Jeptoo’s ‘B’ Sample Is Positive

A big issue with anti-doping testing is that samples must arrive at an accredited testing facility within 48 hours, reports the Herald. That can be a tall task in some remote parts of Africa, where many of the world’s best runners live and train. A new facility, which could potentially be constructed in Nairobi, Kenya, could streamline anti-doping practices on the African continent.

Jeptoo earned $500,000 for winning the World Marathon Majors title in 2014, although her prize money is being withheld because of her doping positive. She has a hearing with Kenya’s anti-doping authorities Thursday.