(9-10-08) Courtesy Running USA Wire #72-09-08 - United States Olympian and 2007 IAAF World Championships 10,000 meter bronze medalist Kara Goucher will make her much-anticipated marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2008 on Sunday, November 2, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
"Last year when I watched the race first hand, I decided I wanted to run in New York," said Goucher. "The ING New York City Marathon is one of the most prestigious, and the course is challenging, so I'm excited for my first marathon to be this one. I have a strong emotional connection to New York, as it is where I was born, where my family lives, and where my father passed away. This one will be personal for me and my family."
Goucher, 30, of Portland, OR, is the latest in a line of stars to make their debuts in New York, including Grete Waitz (1978), Goucher's coach Alberto Salazar (1980), Liz McColgan (1991), Deena Kastor (2001), Marla Runyan (2002), Meb Keflezighi (2002) and Dathan Ritzenhein (2006).
"Our wish has been granted," said Wittenberg. "American track star Kara Goucher will make her much anticipated marathon debut in NYC following in the footsteps and with the help of her coach and mentor, the marathon's last great American star, three-time winner Alberto Salazar. This is a two-for-one deal. We get Kara and she comes with the benefit of Alberto's experience. I anticipate another milestone in American long distance running."
Goucher is the first athlete announced for the professional field in the 39th running of the famed 26.2-mile five-borough race, which is expected to feature a field of about 39,000 runners.
Goucher's breakout performance at last year's World Championships in Osaka, Japan, established her as one of America's finest distance runners. She was the first American woman since Lynn Jennings in 1992 to win a World Championships or Olympic medal at 10,000 meters. Goucher qualified for this year's U.S. Olympic team in both the 5000 and 10,000 meters, defeating U.S. record holder Shalane Flanagan in the 5000 meters at the Trials to win her first USA track title.
At the Olympic Games in Beijing, Goucher finished 10th in the 10,000 meters in a time of 30:55.16, setting a personal record and becoming the third-fastest 10,000 meter runner in U.S. history behind Flanagan and Deena Kastor. In the slow, tactical 5000 meter final, she placed ninth in a time of 15:49.39.
A bona-fide star on the track and in cross country, Goucher has run few road races, but in her most recent one, last September, she upset marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe to win the BUPA Great North Run, a half-marathon in England, in 1:06:57, the fastest-ever half-marathon by an American woman. The race was Goucher's first serious race longer than a 10K and only the third road race of her career.
This year's ING New York City Marathon will again be featured in more than six hours of television coverage, including five hours of local coverage on WNBC in the tri-state area and a one-hour national highlight show on NBC on Sunday afternoon.
Top Five Marathon Debuts by U.S. Women
2:26:58 Deena Kastor, New York City, 2001
2:27:10 Marla Runyan, New York City, 2002
2:29:01 Deeja Youngquist, Chicago, 2003
2:30:41 Blake Russell, Twin Cities, 2003
2:31:48 Elva Dryer, Chicago, 2006
For more information, visit: INGnycmarathon.org
