Kara Goucher

About Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher, (born 9 July 1978 in Queens, NY) is an American middle and long-distance runner. Kara grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Colorado in 2001. She later moved to Eugene, Oregon with her husband (fellow American runner Adam Goucher) and is coached by American running legend Alberto Salazar.

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

After college Kara 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 metres 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 10,000m event.