Marathon: Kiwi survives 'horrific' run

By MARK GEENTY in Athens

A dazed Liza Hunter-Galvan recounted one of her most harrowing experiences as she staggered over the line 51st in the women's marathon yesterday.

The US-based New Zealander's time of 2h 50m 23s was 14m outside her personal best, run this year, but with good reason.

The sapping 30C evening heat and a steady hill climb early in the race made for a course - the original from the 1896 Olympics - that New Zealand athletics coach Tony Rogers described as "horrific".

Sixteen runners of the field of 82 failed to finish.

"I feel like I'm lucky to be alive after that," said Hunter-Galvan 30 minutes after she was assisted to the medical room.

British gold medal favourite Paula Radcliffe pulled out 6km short of the 42km finish line at the historic Panathinaikos Stadium, which was dominated by Union Jacks expecting a Radcliffe victory.

Japan's Mizuki Noguchi won the race in 2h 26m 20s, 11m short of Radcliffe's world record, and had 12s to spare over second-placed Ethiopian Catherine Ndereba.

Hunter-Galvan, the first NZ woman to contest the marathon since Lorraine Moller at Barcelona in 1992, received a rousing reception as she entered the stadium and waved to the crowd on her final lap.

She finished with a big grin but barely able to stand. An official helped her to the medical room, where she was given fluid and food. She was quickly back on her feet.

"It was so hard. The first 8km was kind of flat but it was super-hot. Then we started into some rolling hills and people were dropping already.

"At about 15km I had a bit of a lull, but I kept on trucking and eased off a bit because I was so determined to finish."

Hunter-Galvan said watching other runners pull out made her more determined.

"Everyone that drops, I beat. I started to count them, but after 12 I stopped counting.

"Just for a split-second I thought I wouldn't finish, but I'm pretty tough - I've had four children."

- NZPA