It's official.
Kara Goucher will make her marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon on November 2. The 2008 Olympian and 2007 World Championships bronze medalist at 10,000 meters was presented to the media today in a conference call hosted by the New York Road Runners, the organizers of the race.
Goucher, who was born in Queens, New York, will vie for marathon glory on the same course where her coach, Alberto Salazar, burst onto the world marathoning scene in 1980 by winning the New York City Marathon in his debut race.
NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg said, "Kara will follow 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."
"I believe this [the marathon] is my destiny," said Goucher, "and I really wanted to do it in New York." Salazar stated that her training will prepare her to run 5:20 per mile, near American record pace, but that the main goal is to be competitive and place high.
According to Salazar, Goucher will return to the track in the spring in an effort to continue to maximize her speed and bring down her 10,000 meter time. However, her long-term focus will be to run the marathon at 2012 Olympics, where she--and her coach--believe that she can medal.
Goucher will prep for NYC by running the Medtronic TC-10 Mile on October 5, which this year serves as the USA Women's 10 Mile Championship. She confirmed that the 10 mile will be her only competition prior to the marathon.
The NYRR story can be viewed HERE.
Goucher's hometown newspaper, the Duluth News-Tribune, ran THIS story on announcement and press conference.
1 comment:
Darn, I was hoping it'd be Reese Hoffa.
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