Organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, which plays host to the 2008 USA Women's 10 Mile Championship, announced today that Kara Goucher will challenge Katie McGregor for that title on Sunday, Oct. 5., in Minneapolis, Minn.
Goucher is back in training after doubling at the Beijing Olympics in the 5000 and 10,000 meters last month. She made the final in the shorter event, finishing ninth, and placed tenth in the longer event in a personal best 30:55.16. This will be her first 10 mile road race, but at last year's Great North Run half-marathon in Newcastle, England, she hit the 10 mile mark in an unofficial 50:59 (she won the race in 1:06:57).
"We are pleased to welcome Kara to a highly competitive field on October 5," said executive director Virginia Brophy Achman through a media release. "The opportunity for us to host the championship this year furthers our efforts to support long distance running throughout the United States, including our silver level support of Team USA Minnesota and the USATF Distance Project."
McGregor has run 53:51 for 10 miles on the Twin Cities course when she won the race in 2006 (it was not the USA championships that year). Her mark remains the women's course record.
Both Goucher and McGregor have Minnesota ties. Goucher, who now lives in Portland, Ore., graduated from Duluth East High School, while McGregor is a member of Team USA Minnesota and lives in nearby St. Louis Park.
A $25,000 prize money purse is on offer with $10,000 going to the winner, $6,000 for second and $4,000 for third. This will be the 10th edition of the Medtronic TC 10 Mile.
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