KEY POINTS:
The running enigma that is Liza Hunter-Galvan rolled to another high yesterday.
Competing on her home streets in the San Antonio Rock'n'Roll Marathon, she finished second with a personal best of 2h 29m 37s - a time which sent her soaring to fifth on the New Zealand all-time list.
It was a triumphant answer to her critics for the Texas-based 39-year-old, who was a controversial selection for the Olympic team in August, initially overlooked because of previous performances at major championships.
In Beijing, she fought dizziness and had to have medical help at the line as she struggled home in 35th place.
To those who doubted whether she had the ability to perform in the big events, it was proof positive.
Yesterday was Hunter-Galvan at her absolute best. On a brisk Texas morning - perfect marathon conditions - she cantered home fast on the flat course, chasing down the eventual winner, Romanian Nuta Olaru, who finished in 2h 28m 54s.
"I really needed another mile to catch her," Hunter-Galvan told local reporters. "But, hey, who wanted to run another mile?"
Olaru, who has a personal best of 2h 24m 33s, had surged to a 1m 43s lead as Hunter-Galvan plotted her charge.
"I was a little worried that my half-marathon time [1h 14m 48s] was faster than I wanted it to be," said Hunter-Galvan. "But between miles 15 and 16 (24-25km) I passed four runners and with all the spectators cheering over the last six miles I pushed it back up again."
Poland's Karolina Jarzynska was third in 2h 33m 19s. Margaret Okayo, record holder at the Boston and New York courses, pulled out at 15km in what was supposed to be her come-back from injury.
As well as pocketing US$10,000, Hunter-Galvan takes her place behind Allison Roe, Lorraine Moller, Mary O'Connor and Marguerite Buist on the list of fastest New Zealand women's marathon times.
Fellow Beijing Olympian Nina Rillstone holds sixth place with her 2006 time of 2h 29m 46s.
