Runners in the Chicago Marathon will face the harshest penalties yet if caught using performance-enhancing drugs.

Carey Pinkowski is the executive race director of the Chicago Marathon. He says runners caught using either performance-enhancing or illegal drugs will face a lifetime ban.

“It’s a message that’s sent to the athletes who are the most visible elements of our events, the champions or the world record holders, that we’re going to be very aggressive when it comes to any drug violations,” he says.

Pinkowski says runners caught in Chicago will also be banned from marathons in Boston, London, Berlin and New York. The previous penalty was a suspension of up to five years.