Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher

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Kara Goucher
PR 1500M:4:05.14

Mile: 4:36.03
3000M: 8:34.99
2 Miles: 9:41.32
5000M: 14:55.02,10K: 30:55.16
Half marathon: 1:06:57
Born July 9, 1978 at Queens, NY
Current Residence Portland, OR
College Univ of Colorado '01





Kara Goucher, born Kara Grgas (1978-) is an American middle and long-distance runner. Goucher grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where she was known as Kara Wheeler (after her mother's remarriage), and graduated from the University of Colorado in 2001. She later moved to Portland, Oregon with her husband (fellow American runner Adam Goucher) and is coached by American running legend Alberto Salazar.

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College career

As a runner for the University of Colorado, Goucher broke out in 2000, becoming the NCAA Outdoor Champion in the 3000M and 5000M, the NCAA Cross Country Champion, and also a 5000M Olympic Trials Finalist (8th).

Professional career

After college Goucher battled injuries for several years, but then came back strong in 2006. After finishing 2nd in the 5k at the USATF Outdoor Championships in 2006, she set PRs at all distances on the international circuit, running the World “A” Standard in the 1500 m, 5000 m, and 10000 m. She finished third in 3000 meters at the 2006 IAAF World Cup in a new personal best time of 8 minutes 41.42 seconds. Her 3k time led the nation and her 10k time ranks her as the 2nd fastest American woman of all-time. At the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan she won the bronze medal in the women's 10,000 m event.

Goucher kicked off 2008 with a win in the prestigious Millrose Games mile with a PR of 4:36:03. At the 2008 Prefontaine Classic track meet in Eugene, Oregon, USA, Goucher ran the 5000 m, the same race as the World Record attempt by Meseret Defar. Goucher ran well to place 3rd behind Defar and Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot in her second fastest ever time of 14m58.10s. Defar failed in her attempt but won the race in 14m38.73s.

Goucher is a member of the Nike Oregon Project, a project designed to improve standards in American Distance running. There she trains with fellow athletes Galen Rupp, her husband Adam Goucher, Josh Rohatinsky and Amy Yoder-Begley.

Goucher raced in the USATF Championships and Olympic Trials on June 27, 2008, in the 5000M and the 10000M. The championships were held at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon. Goucher already had the Olympic A Standard, but achieved it again, recording 31:37.72 at 10000 m, finishing second behind American record-holder Shalane Flanagan's 31:34.81. In the 5000 m, Goucher won her semi final heat with a time of 15:32.32, and won the final race with a time of 15:01.02.[1]

Goucher competed in the Bejing 2008 Summer Olympics 10000m final where she placed 10th with a time of 30:55.16.

Audio interview

Video/pictures

External links

References

  1. ↑ USATF - Events - 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. Retrieved on 2008-07-06.
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