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Sep-10-2008
Kara Goucher to Make Marathon Debut in New York
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Following in her coach's footsteps, 2007 IAAF World Championships 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher will make her marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 2.
"Last year when I watched the race first hand, I decided I wanted to run in New York," Goucher commented. "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."
Goucher's coach, Alberto Salazar, made his marathon debut in New York in 1980 and won the race. He would win it two more times in 1981 and 1982, and remains the last American man to win the race.
"Now I believe that Kara can run a great fall marathon, go back to the track... and run another marathon next fall," said Salazar on a national conference call hosted by the New York Road Runners which organizes the event.
Goucher, and New Zealand's Kim Smith, are the key debutantes at New York this year, according to race director Mary Wittenberg. Goucher has run
30:55.16 for 10,000m, while Smith has run 30:35.54, the New Zealand record (both women finished in the top-10 in the Beijing Olympic 10,000m). Goucher has run one half-marathon, the longest race of her career, clocking a sparkling 1:06:57 at the Great North Run last fall. That performance helped convince her that she should step up to the marathon.
"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," Goucher added. "This one will be personal for me and my family."
Two American women have made successful marathon debuts at New York in recent years. Deena Kastor finished seventh in her debut in 2:26:58 in 2001 (still the USA debut record), and Marla Runyan ran 2:27:10 (4th place) in 2002.
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