Facing a possible two-year suspension from competitive running after failing a drug test, a contrite Lyubov Denisova apologized for what she said was an inadvertent offense, and vowed to return to running whenever she is allowed.

"I am sorry (for) what happened," Denisova said in a phone interview from her home in Gainesville, Fla. "I am very sorry."

Denisova, the Honolulu Marathon's defending champion and course-record holder, tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, considered a key indicator of synthetic testosterone use.

Denisova, 35, reiterated her manager's explanation that she inadvertently ingested a product containing synthetic testosterone believing it was a legal supplement. She said her difficulty with the English language contributed to her misunderstanding.

"It's vitamins I buy on Internet," she said. "It was bodybuilding site. My English (is) very bad."

The World Anti-Doping Agency conducted the random test at Denisova's home on March 20. Two independently examined blood samples taken from Denisova that day revealed the high testosterone level, and results were forwarded to the Russian Track and Field Federation for an initial penalty determination. Denisova will also be subject to an International Association of Athletics Federations penalty, which could be longer than that imposed by the Russian Federation.

The penalty for drug-related offenses typically includes a two-year ban from competitive running.

Denisova said will continue to train, regardless of how long her suspension lasts. And despite her relatively advance age for a marathoner, she expects to make a return to competition.

"I'm running," she said. "I'm not stop. Run is my life."

Denisova's results from three races she ran in after taking the drug test will be voided once the findings are officially released. This will not affect her record-finish at the 2006 Honolulu Marathon, in which she set a course record in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 19 seconds.

However, Honolulu Marathon Association president Jim Barahal, who now believes Denisova was taking performance enhancing drugs when she ran in Honolulu, said he feels compelled to address fairness issues related to her questionable record.

"I'm uncomfortable with the record," Barahal said. "The question arises, 'Is that fair for other athletes to have to go after a record that's tainted?' "

In addition to prize money for winning the race, top male and female finishers can also earn incentive bonuses for breaking the course record. As a compromise, the association will likely offer bonuses for runners who break either Denisova's record or the previous course record (2:27:33) set by Lyubov Morgunova in 2004, Barahal said.

On Tuesday, Barahal said the marathon will institute mandatory drug testing for the top three men's and women's finishers, and random tests for top-10 finishers in both groups.

The Honolulu Marathon last tested athletes in 2000, as part of a USA Track & Field program that calls for random testing at selected races. Barahal said he will propose yearly testing for Honolulu, to be conducted by USATF at the marathon association's expense (likely $10,000 to $12,000 per race).

Barahal said he will also consider including new provisions in the association's contracts with elite runners to specifically address drug testing and protocols for dealing with cheating. Still, he maintains that Denisova's situation is unique and something not likely to be repeated.

Barahal, a physician, said testosterone use is more common in female athletes because the hormone has a more pronounced effect on their muscle-building and recovery abilities.

He doesn't believe Denisova's excuse for the failed test.

"When something like this happens, athletes say one of two things: that the testing or procurement processes were flawed, or that they somehow took the drug without knowing it," he said. "What else is she going to say? I have no doubt that she's guilty."

Barahal also clarified his earlier statement that Denisova would never run the Honolulu Marathon again. He acknowledged that she has the right to register as a regular runner as long as she is not under suspension and pays her own way. He said she will never be invited back as an elite runner.

Denisova said she would still like to return to Honolulu.

"I like Honolulu," she said. "I like the Honolulu Marathon. I hope to come, but I don't know if (the association will) let me."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.