Bjorklund Half Champ in Doping Controversy

Liza Hunter-Galvan, the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon women's champion, faces a hearing in her native New Zealand over what appears to be a failed drug test.

Reports in New Zealand's Auckland Star-News, HERE, in the San Antonio Express News, HERE, and the Duluth News-Tribune, HERE, say the 40-year-old Kiwi, who is based in San Antonio, must face the New Zealand Sports Disputes Tribunal for resolution of the matter.

Details of the issue are unclear as neither Hunter-Galvan (pictured) nor Athletics New Zealand are commenting on the matter.

Hunter-Galvan won the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in 1:13:20. Later that summer she represented her country in the Beijing Olympic Marathon, where she ran 2:34:51 for 35th place.

In the 2007 Grandma's Marathon, Hunter-Galvan battled with eventual champion Mary Akor before dropping out of the race in the late-going.

Kevin Pates of the News-Tribune reports that Hunter-Galvan did not return a positive doping test at Grandma's in 2008. The Star-Times says the postive test did not come at the Olympics.

Photo by Charlie Mahler.