Posted: October 4, 2007

Athletics: Goucher named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Kara Goucher has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the Great North Run Half Marathon Sunday in north east England. The 2007 World Outdoor 10,000m bronze medalist, Goucher made her half marathon debut a memorable one in setting a new American best time of 66 minutes 57 seconds. Her time bettered the previous U.S. record of 67:34 by Deena Kastor set last year in Berlin, but due to the downhill nature of the course, it will not qualify as the American record. Goucher posted splits of 47:36 (15 km), 50:59 (10 miles), and 63:33 (20 km), which are quicker than any U.S. competitor has run before. With her performance, Goucher spoiled the return to competition after a 21-month absence of British world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, who was the runner up in 67:53. Now in its sixth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2007 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 2, Thomas Morgan; January 9, Jacquelyn Coward; January 16, Ryan Hall; January 23, Johnny Dutch; January 30, Shalane Flanagan; February 6, Gail Devers; February 13, Alan Culpepper; February 20, Bernard Lagat; February 27, Christian Cantwell; March 6, Fasil Bizuneh; March 13, Natasha Hastings; March 20, Anthony Famiglietti; March 27, Nadine O'Connor; April 4, Natasha Hastings; April 10, Diana Pickler; April 17, Shalane Flanagan; April 24, Virginia Tech women's team, Ryan Hall; May 1, Jen Rhines; May 8, Walter Henning; May 15, Allyson Felix; May 22, Breaux Greer; May 29, Walter Dix; June 5, Jenn Stuczynski; June 12, Walter Dix; June 19, Chanelle Price; June 27, Tyson Gay; July 3, Jim Sorensen; July 10, Robin Reynolds; July 17, William Wynne; July 24, Alan Webb; July 31, Victoria Jordan; August 8, Reese Hoffa; August 14, Jeremy Wariner; August 21, Lela Nelson; August 28, Tyson Gay, September 5, Allyson Felix and Bernard Lagat, September 11, Phil Raschker; September 19, Sanya Richards; September 26, Brad Walker; October 3, Kara Goucher. Best Marks Week Ending September 30 MEN 100 - 9.96 Wallace Spearmon (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 200 - 20.29 Rodney Martin (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 400 - 44.02 Jeremy Wariner (adidas) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 110H - 13.20 Anwar Moore (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 400H - 49.80 Bershawn Jackson (Nike) - Yokohama, JPN 9/30 HJ - 2.23/7-3.75 Jamie Nieto (Nike), Jesse Williams (Nike) & Tora Harris (Asics/Shore AC) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 LJ - 8.15/26-9 Brian Johnson (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 WOMEN 100 - 10.97 Sanya Richards (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 400 - 50.27 Sanya Richards (Nike) - Yokohama, JPN 9/30 1500 - 4:22.99 Tiffany McWilliams (adidas) - Yokohama, JPN 9/30 100H - 12.65 Michelle Perry (Nike) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 400H - 55.01 Tiffany Williams (Reebok) - Shanghai, CHN 9/28 Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest