Posted: May 16, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Marathoner Denisova Receives Two Year Ban

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com Russian marathoner Lyubov Denisova has received a two year ban after failing an out-of-competition drug test on March 20, according to the IAAF. Denisova was found to have an elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratio and traces of the anaboic compound Prostanozol were found in her samples. Denisova, 35, is ineligible to compete from April 27, 2007 through April 26, 2009. In addition, all of her results achieved since the date of the test are annulled. A resident of Gainesville, Fla., Denisova had a distinguished marathon career, achieving a career best time of 2:25:18 at New York in 2004. She won the City of Los Angeles Marathon twice (2002 and 2005), and twice finished on the podium at the ING New York City Marathon (2002 and 2004). She was also second at Boston in 2003 and won the Honolulu Marathon last December, setting a course record. She was coached by her husband, Maxim Denisov. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest