Former University of Colorado runner Kara Goucher had a momentous marathon debut in New York last month, finishing third and setting American records in the process.
Now she’s turning her sights on Boston.
Boston Marathon race officials announced today that Goucher, 30, will compete in the 113th running of the world’s most historic marathon April 20.
After competing in two events on the track at the Beijing Olympics, Goucher completed the New York City Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 53 seconds on Nov. 2. That was the fastest first-time marathon for an American woman and the fastest time ever run in New York by an American woman.
“Kara Goucher will add a new level of excitement to the 2009 Boston Marathon,” said Guy Morse, executive director of the Boston Athletic Association. “Not only is she a dynamic competitor, but her coach, Alberto Salazar, knows all about winning in Boston.”
Salazar, who won Boston in 1982 and New York three times (1980-82), has long believed the marathon would be Goucher’s best event.
“Coach Salazar will guide me to be ready to tackle the course, and the infamous Heartbreak Hill,” Goucher said. “Winning Boston is my next big challenge, and I could not have picked a bigger stage.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
