NAIROBI, (AP):

Former marathon world-record holder Wilson Kipsang missed an out-of-competition doping test last month, according to Athletics Kenya.

The organisation said it was notified by the International Association of Athletics Federations about the unsuccessful attempt to test the 2014 New York Marathon champion on November 11.

No sanction will be imposed against Kipsang because it's his first failure to be evaluated, Athletics Kenya said.

Kipsang has been made aware that he would be in violation of anti-doping rules if he misses three tests within an 18-month period, the organisation said.

Kipsang's missed test comes amid a recent spike in doping cases involving Kenyans. Eighteen Kenyan runners failed doping tests in 2012 and 2013, according to a doping report released earlier this year - a rate of nearly one per month. That, compared with 18 Kenyan doping cases in the 19 years before 2012, the report said.

According to the report, banned substances have become easily available to runners in the East-African country, where there are no effective doping controls.

Recently, marathon runner Rita Jeptoo tested positive for blood-boosting drug EPO. Thirty-three-year-old Jeptoo, one of the highest-profile Kenyan athletes to fail a doping test, won her second straight title in Chicago on October 12. She was set to be named the winner of the World Marathon Majors series before it was revealed that she had failed a doping test.

The failed test was about two weeks before her victory in Chicago. Athletics Kenya said testing of Jeptoo's 'B'' sample is being conducted this week.

On Monday, Athletics Kenya banned marathoners Viola Chelangat Kimetto and Joyce Jemutai Kiplimo for two years for testing positive for the prohibited substance Norandosterone.