Goucher Wins USA Half on Home Streets

USA Half Marathon Champ Kara Goucher.
(Photo courtesy of Grandma's Marathon.)

Duluth native Kara Goucher and three-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman won USA Half Marathon titles this morning at the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon held in conjunction with Grandma's Marathon.

Goucher ran a course record-breaking 1:09:46, unofficially, on the scenic run along the North Shore of Lake Superior to Canal Park in Duluth in her first race in her hometown in 16 years.

Abdirahman, who will compete in his fourth Olympic Games later this summer, won in 1:02:47, unofficially, edging Brett Gotcher for the title.

Former Team, USA Minnesota runner Michelle Frey finished 3rd in the USA Women's Championships, according to preliminary results posted on the USA Running Circuit web-site, HERE.

Marathon Results ... Berhanu Girma, of Ethiopia won the men's competition at Grandma's Marathon, running 2:12:25 on the course that starts in Two Harbors and finishes in Duluth.

In women's competition, Everlyne Lagat of Kenya was the victor, running 2:33:13.

Look for complete results HERE.

Duluth News-Tribune Coverage ... Here are links to the Duluth News-Tribune's extensive coverage of Grandma's Marathon:

Women's USA Half Marathon ... Goucher had goose-bumps on Superior Street.

USA Half Marathon Champ Abdi Abdirahman.
(Photo courtesy of Grandma's Marathon.)

Men's USA Half Marathon ... Abdirahman runs 1:02:46 for Title.

Garry Bjorklund Half Marthon ... Former Carleton 800m Runner Wins.

Grandma's Marathon Men's Champ Berhanu Girma.
(Photo courtesy of Grandma's Marathon.)

Grandma's Marathon, Men ... Girma is Grandma's First Ethiopian Men's Champ.

Grandma's Marathon Women's Champ Everlyne Lagat.
(Photo courtesy of Grandma's Marathon.)

Grandma's Marathon, Women ... Winner Everlyne Lagat "felt like a shark."

Grandma's Weekend in Photos ... The DNT's Photo Gallery from the Weekend.

Grandma's Wrap-Up ... The Whole Weekend, Tied Up in One Story.